ABSTRACT
Background: Viral hepatitis is one of the major causes of mortality & morbidity in developing countries. Present study was aimed to know the seroprevalence and co infection of the acute viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and hepatitis E virus from patient attending one of the largest tertiary care hospitals. Material and Methods: Study was carried out from May 2009 to June 2010 at our hospital. A total of 556 serum samples were tested for HBsAg, antibody for HCV, IgM antibody of HAV and HEV by ELISA method from the patients having clinical signs & symptoms of acute viral hepatitis. Statistical analysis: Chi square test was done and the association was considered to be statistically significant if p < 0.05. Results: Out of 556 suspected cases of acute hepatitis 281 were positive. Among the total positive cases, IgM anti HAV antibodies was 70 (24.91%), IgM anti HEV antibodies was 141 (50.18 %), HBsAg was 65 (23.13%) and HCV was 5 (1.78 %). Dual infection was seen in 14 (4.98 %) cases with 6 children cases. Among the HAV positive patients, 80% were children, In contrast to that HEV infection (63.1%) and HBsAg infection (61.5%) was common in young adult. HCV infection was found common in adults more than 20 years of age. Overall male was affected more than female. Conclusion: Sporadic HEV infection constitutes significant cause of the acute viral hepatitis. In the light of this result a nationwide survey is recommended to confirm this pattern in the other areas. As vaccine for HEV is not available, prevention in form of improvement of socio - economic and hygienic standards of the population is the better option.