STUDY OF HEPAITIS A AND HEPATITIS E VIRUS INFECTION IN ACUTE HEPATITIS PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Acute viral hepatitis is a major public health problem worldwide. Hepatitis-A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are two major hepatotropic viruses responsible for enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis. To know seroprevalence , clinico- Objectives: epidemiological factors and co-infection of hepatitis A & hepatitis E virus infection. The study was carried out in the Virology Research Methods: & Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) under Department of Microbiology IGGMC, Nagpur from January to October 2019. Cases included were children & young adults of both sexes having clinical hepatitis attending OPD and IPD. Blood sample was collected aseptically from each suspected patient. Serum was separated and tested for presence of IgM antibody against HAV and HEV by using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant assay. Out of 184 samples, HAV seropositivity was seen in 13.04 %, HEV seropos Results: itivity in 35.32 %. Maximum cases were seen in age group of 0-10 years for HAV and 21-30 years for HEV. Male to female ratio was almost equal for both HAV and HEV. Urban population was most affected Source of water in maximum cases was tap water in urban and well water in rural area. Prevalence of HEV infection among Conclusion: the acute viral hepatitis cases is much more common than HAV. HEV being caused by feco-oral route, it is very important to have supply of safe drinking water. Awareness regarding sanitation, hand and food hygiene is the key factor to prevent hepatitis A & E infection.