ABSTRACT
192 patients of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) from three different hospitals of Madras metropolitan area during November 1985 to January 1986 were investigated for serologic markers of hepatitis A virus (anti HAVIgM) and hepatitis B virus (HBsAg, HBeAg, anti HBcIgM and anti HBs) by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). While the overall pattern of AVH in Madras as revealed from the study showed Hepatitis A to be 36.4%, Hepatitis B 34.4% and Non-A Non-B 29.1%, the pattern differed significantly when areawise categorisation was done. The major AVH type in Government General Hospital was Hepatitis B (48.9%). While it was hepatitis A (46.9%) in Government Stanley Hospital and Non-A Non-B (40.0%) in Military Hospital. Using anti HBcIgM marker of Hepatitis B Virus and anti HAVIgM it was possible to make out that 13.5% of the cases, currently suffering from hepatitis A were either HBV carriers (8.3%) or cases convalescing from a previous Hepatitis B attack (5.3%). Various combinations of HBV markers positivity were observed and their diagnostic significance inferred.