What is the meaning of negative IgM antibodies in a female patient 45 yrs. with!
Question: According to the doctors IgM antibodies should not be negative in the blood test of this relative of mine. The tests were redone in different labs, all revealing negative IgM Antibodies. The health of the patient is improving though. The blood tests, liver enzymes etc. are getting better.
Answers:
Of the five classes of antibodies, IgM are the first to be produced during an immune response. So positive IgM indicates that the infection is currently active and an acute immune response is ongoing. IgG production follows IgM and lasts much longer, so IgG antibodies in the absence of IgM antibodies indicate that the patient is immune to the strain. I would expect negative IgM antibodies several weeks after a single acute infection of Hepatitis A, because the body will not produce them in the absence of another acute infection.
Other Answers:
IgM antibodies are the first ab to respond to an infection and is used to diagnose the acute hep A infection.
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