Non-A, non-B viral hepatitis in Egypt

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out on 200 patients of ages 20-40 years suffering from acute viral hepatitis. Sera were tested for markers of hepatitis B [HBsAg, and IgM anti-HBc] and hepatitis A [IgM-anti-HAV] by the ELISA technique. Sera negative for the markers of both viruses Hepatitis A [HAV] and Hepatitis B [HBV] were subsequently tested for IGM Heterophil antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] by the Monospot slide test to diagnose acute infectious mononucleosis and tested for anti-CMV [IgM] by ELISA technique for the diagnosis of acute Cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection. Non-A, non-B hepatitis [NANB] was diagnosed by exclusion. The results of the study showed that 133 [66.5%] patients had evidence of HBV infection, while only 9 [4.5%] were diagnosed as HAV infection. EBV and CMV were the possible etiological agents of acute viral hepatitis in [3.5%] and [1%] respectively. Accordingly the Non-A, non-B hepatitis in this study amounts to [24.5%] of the acute viral hepatitis