Spordaic non-A, non-B hepatitis: a sero-epidemiological study in urban population

ABSTRACT

The frequency and epidemiology of sporadic non- A, non-B [NANB] hepatitis was studied in adult urban population. The diagnosis of NANB hepatitis was made on the basis of exclusion by serological markers of acute viral hepatitis A and B and other aetiological factors. A frequency of 77.16% of NANB hepatitis was found in adults in Northern Pakistan which ranks as one of the highest in the world. The faecal oral route is considered to be the most likely method of spread of sporadic NANB hepatitis in Northern Pakistan due to poor hygienic conditions prevailing in the country