Infectious Disease Profile
Includes Interpretation Tips, Risk Insights, and Treatment Guidance
Updated: July 13, 2025 (BD)
The Infectious Disease Profile includes a range of diagnostic biomarkers used to detect and monitor infections caused by viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens. A key focus of this profile is hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that can lead to serious health outcomes if left untreated.
What Is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis refers to liver inflammation, which can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). While some cases resolve on their own, others progress to fibrosis (liver scarring), cirrhosis (permanent liver damage), or even liver cancer.
Common Causes of Hepatitis:
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Viral infections (the most common cause worldwide)
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Toxic substances such as alcohol or certain medications
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Autoimmune diseases
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Other infections not directly linked to hepatitis viruses
Types of Hepatitis Viruses:
There are five main hepatitis viruses—Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E—each with unique modes of transmission, severity, and long-term effects:
| Type | Transmission | Risk of Chronic Disease | Common in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A (HAV) | Ingestion of contaminated food or water | No | Areas with poor sanitation |
| Hepatitis B (HBV) | Contact with infected blood, sexual contact, childbirth | Yes | Worldwide |
| Hepatitis C (HCV) | Blood-to-blood contact (e.g., transfusions, IV drug use) | Yes | Global |
| Hepatitis D (HDV) | Requires HBV to infect; blood and body fluids | Yes | Areas with high HBV prevalence |
| Hepatitis E (HEV) | Contaminated food/water | Rarely | Developing countries |
Hepatitis B and C are especially concerning due to their potential to cause chronic infections, which affect hundreds of millions of people globally. These infections are the leading causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer).
Transmission Routes to Know:
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Hepatitis A & E: Fecal-oral route, typically through contaminated food or water.
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Hepatitis B, C & D: Bloodborne transmission, including:
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Blood transfusions or organ transplants (without proper screening)
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Shared needles or non-sterile medical equipment
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Sexual contact (especially with HBV)
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Mother-to-child transmission during childbirth (HBV)
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Why Testing Matters
Early detection through lab testing is crucial to:
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Diagnose active or past infections
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Monitor chronic hepatitis progression
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Guide treatment decisions
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Prevent transmission to others
Tests may include antibody screening, antigen detection, and viral load testing, depending on the virus and suspected stage of infection.
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Biomarkers included in this panel:
The Anaplasma phagocytophilum Antibodies IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody) Titre (IgG) marker is a critical serological assay used in the diagnosis of Anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease caused by the bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. This test s
Learn moreBecause Beta-2 Microglobulin is increased with blood cell cancers, it may be useful as a tumor marker. Though it can be used to assess kidney function as well.
Learn moreHepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a distinctive serological marker of acute or chronic hepatitis B infection. HBsAg is the first antigen to appear following infection with HBV and is generally detected 1-10 weeks after the onset of clinical symp
Learn moreHCV Antibody RFX to Quant PCR refers to a diagnostic process used in the detection and quantification of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Initially, the test involves the identification of antibodies produced in response to the HCV infection.
Learn moreThe viral load of hepatitis C refers to the amount of virus present in the bloodstream. The quantitative HCV RNA tests measure the amount of hepatitis C virus in the blood. The result will be an exact number, such as "1,215,422 IU/L." Many
Learn moreWhat is hepatitis A? Hepatitis A is a result of infection with the hepatitis A virus. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness causing liver failure. Most peop
Learn moreHep A Ab, Total refers to the total antibody test for Hepatitis A virus (HAV). This test measures the overall level of antibodies, including both IgM and IgG antibodies, produced by the body in response to HAV infection or vaccination. IgM antibodies
Learn moreAnti-HBc IgM increases rapidly, peaks during the acute infection stage of HBV infection, and then falls to a relatively low level as the patient recovers or becomes a chronic carrier. Anti-HBc IgM is useful in the diagnosis of acute HBV infection eve
Learn moreHep B Core Ab, Tot [aka Total antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc)] appears at the onset of symptoms in acute hepatitis B, is a measure of both IgM and IgG, and persists for life. The presence of total anti-HBc indicates previous or o
Learn moreHep B Surface Ab, Qual refers to the qualitative test for Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (HBsAb). This test determines the presence or absence of antibodies against the Hepatitis B virus on the surface of the hepatocytes. A positive result suggests tha
Learn moreA blood test, called an HCV antibody test, is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The HCV antibody test, sometimes called the anti-HCV test, looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in blood. Antibodies
Learn moreHepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. This tests for the presence of hepatitis A antibodies. Elevated levels reflect immunity either through previous vaccination or exposure to the illness. Measures both IgG and IgM forms of the antibody,
Learn morePresence of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) is used to determine immune status to HBV or disease progression in individuals infected with HBV. Anti-HBs levels can be measured to determine if vaccination is needed, or following a va
Learn moreThe hepatitis B surface antibody test (HBsAb), looks for antibodies that your immune system makes in response to the surface protein of the hepatitis B virus. The presence of anti-HBs is generally interpreted as indicating recovery and immun
Learn moreThe hepatitis B surface antibody test (HBsAb), looks for antibodies that your immune system makes in response to the surface protein of the hepatitis B virus.
Learn moreThis assay can be used in conjunction with other serological and clinical information to diagnose individuals with acute or chronic hepatitis B infection. This assay may also be used to screen for hepatitis B infection in pregnant women to identify n
Learn moreA blood test, called an HCV antibody test, is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The HCV antibody test, sometimes called the anti-HCV test, looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in blood. Antibodies
Learn moreHIV Ab/p24 Ag with Reflex is a diagnostic test used for the detection of HIV infection. It combines the identification of antibodies (Ab) and p24 antigens (Ag) associated with the HIV virus. The test is usually performed as an initial screening tool,
Learn moreThis test looks for HIV infection in your blood or saliva. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. About 1 in 5 people who are infected with HIV don't know it because they may not have symptoms. HIV comes in 2 forms: HIV-1. This type
Learn moreHSV Type 1-Specific Ab, IgG refers to the specific antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The IgG antibodies are indicative of a past or current infection with HSV-1. This test helps in diagno
Learn moreHSV-2 Ab, IgG refers to the antibody test for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) using the immunoglobulin G (IgG) class of antibodies. This test is employed to detect the presence of IgG antibodies specifically related to the HSV-2 virus in the bloo
Learn moreMurine typhus is a disease transmitted by fleas. Endemic typhus, flea-borne typhus, and shop fever are other names used for this disease. It is caused by the bacterium, Rickettsia typhi, and possibly Rickettsia felis, found in infected
Learn moreThe rapid plasma reagin (RPR) is a test used to screen for syphilis. The RPR test measures IgM and IgG antibodies to lipoidal material released from damaged host cells as well as to lipoprotein-like material, and possibly cardiolipin releas
Learn moreRocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. The RMSF (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) IgG by IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody) marker is a vital component of the serologica
Learn moreThe marker RPR (DX) w/Refl Titer, along with confirmatory non-reactive testing, is an important component of the diagnostic approach to syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. RPR, or Rapid Plasma Reagin
Learn moreThe RPR (Rapid Plasma Reagin) test is a screening blood test used to detect syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. It identifies the presence of antibodies in the blood that the body produces in respons
Learn moreSyphilis is a bacterial infection that is spread through sexual contact. The disease results in sores on or near the mouth or the genital area of the infected person. If not treated early, syphilis can lead to serious health consequences. Syphilis
Learn moreVDRL
The venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL) is a blood test that can identify syphilis infections. Syphilis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A VDRL test measures antibodies that are often produced within o
Learn moreWest Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus (single-stranded RNA) that primarily infects birds but can also infect humans and horses.
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