Seroprevalence of Enterically Transmitted Hepatitis Viruses in Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Hepatitis A & E viruses are enterically transmitted viruses responsible for acute viral hepatitis in developing countries. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has worldwide distribution while hepatitis E virus (HEV) is restricted to tropical countries. HAV affects infants and young children while HEV affects older children and young adults. This study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of HAV and HEV and their co-infection in patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis (AVH). METHODS 200 sera of patients suffering from suspected acute viral hepatitis (AVH) attending tertiary care rural hospital JNMC Sawangi, Wardha were included in the study. Serum samples were tested for IgM anti HAV and IgM anti - HEV for the detection of acute hepatitis A and acute hepatitis E using commercially available ELISA kit & Immunochromatography test (ICT) for comparison of ELISA and ICT. RESULTS The overall seroprevalence of HAV and HEV infection was found to be 19 %. The seroprevalence of HAV infection was found to be 13 %, HEV infection 5 % and HAV - HEV co - infection 1 %. HAV infection in males and females was found to be 16.07 % and 9.09 % respectively & HEV infection was found to be 5.35 % and 4.54 % respectively. In case of detection of HAV IgM, two serum samples were negative by ICT but positive by ELISA & for HEV IgM, one serum sample was negative by ICT but positive by ELISA. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of HAV IgM was found to be 96 %, 98.8 %, 92.30 % & 99.43 % and for HEV IgM was found to be 90 %, 99.47 %, 90 % & 99.47 % respectively. CONCLUSIONS It is evident from this study that infection with enteric hepatitis viruses is not infrequent. Findings from this study emphasize the need to establish regular seroepidemiological surveys to keep track of epidemiology of these viruses. Results from rapid tests are comparable to ELISA with additional advantage of ease of interpretation and neither time consuming nor requiring special instruments. KEY WORDS Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, Seroprevalence