Differential diagnosis of viral hepatitis based on hepatitis viral markers.

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.