Seroprevalence and Trends of Enterally Transmitted Hepatitis Viruses in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A 3-year Study

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Gastrointestinal Infections

Author
1. Neha Mittal
2. Veenu Gupta
ISSN
2277-5862
DOI
10.5005/jp-journals-10068-3032
Volume
9
Issue
1
Publishing Year
2019
Pages
5
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Microbiology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana.
    1. Department of Microbiology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
  • Article keywords
    Hepatitis A virus, Hepatitis E virus, Prevalence, Viral hepatitis

    Abstract

    Background and objectives: Despite the significant achievements in recent decades to control viral hepatitis worldwide, hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections remain a matter of significant public health concern. Both viruses are transmitted primarily by orofecal route and are present higher in communities with poor sanitation. They cause a disease that is indistinguishable without serologic testing. Prevalence of HEV is less frequent even in endemic areas (7.8–45%), compared to HAV infection (up to 100% in low-income countries). The present study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of HAV and HEV and to study their seasonal variations. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective study over a period of 3 years. Serum samples from patients suspected of viral hepatitis were tested for anti-HAV and anti-HEV immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seasonal trends of HAV and HEV were also studied. Results: The overall percentage positivity for HAV and HEV was 15.4% and 13.9% and the prevalence was more in the males. Majority of cases of HAV infection were in the age-group of 11–20 years, whereas HEV infection was predominant in the age-group of 21–30 years. There was a year-wise increasing trend of HAV and HEV seroprevalence. On comparing the seasonal trends, hepatitis A was more during the monsoon (17.6%) and hepatitis E was more during the summer season (15.1%). Conclusion: The prevalence of hepatitis A was more when compared to hepatitis E, and majority of the patients were males.

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