Prevalence of Hepatitis A and E Infection in a Suburban Tertiary Care Hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Acute viral hepatitis causes high morbidity in children and young adults. Hepatitis A and E can lead to fulminant hepatitis in 0.1% -2%. Objective: To find prevalence of HAV and HEV among suspected cases of acute viral hepatitis and to co-relate the laboratory findings with clinical presentations, over a one year periodMaterial & Methods:A retrospective analysis of 396 suspected acute viral hepatitis cases, whose samples were received in the laboratory during over a period of 1 year was performed. All sera samples were tested for IgM anti HAV & IgM anti HEV using commercially available solid phase ELISA, in Microbiology laboratory, at our hospital.Results:Majority infected were male (69%) and young adults (98 %). Clinical presentations included fever (92%), jaundice/icterus (74%), nausea/vomiting (60%), hepatomegaly (45%), abdominal pain (40%), darkcoloredurine(15%), itching/rash (8.3%). ELISA revealed overall positivity21.2% ; HAV 38% ,HEV62% and dual infection5%. Increased serum bilirubin, AST and ALT occured in 68%.Conclusions:Awareness regarding sanitation and hygiene is imperative to curb the spread of acute viral hepatitis, especially in developing countries. Laboratory diagnosis is an essential supplementary tool in confirmation of suspected clinical cases and reduce transmission of this infection.