title: Detection of immunoglobulin M antibody to hepatitis A virus in Alaska residents without other evidence of hepatitis.
abstract: During a 38-month period, 13 of 41 persons with test results positive for IgM antibody to hepatitis A virus did not meet the case definition for hepatitis A or have a clear indication for testing, which suggests that test results were falsely positive. No single testing platform or kit was used. Health care providers should restrict serologic testing for hepatitis A to patients with clinical or epidemiologic indications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Public Health, Alaska Section of Epidemiology, Anchorage, AK 99524-0249, USA. louisa_castrodale@health.state.ak.us
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Castrodale
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Terry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska; D002648:Child; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D007075:Immunoglobulin M