Age wise seroprevalence of hepatitis viral markers in acute infectious hepatitis patients at a tertiary care centre in India

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Original Article

Author Details : Monika Rajani

Volume : 3, Issue : 3, Year : 2016

Article Page : 224-229

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Abstract

Introduction: Age wise seroprevalence of acute viral hepatitis still remains debatable. The burden of the disease could be reduced to a considerable extent, if seroprevalence of different viruses are known for various age groups.
Objectives: To determine the age wise seroprevalence of hepatitis viral markers in clinically suspected infectious hepatitis at a tertiary care hospital in urban India
Methodology: This prospective study was conducted over a period of 1 year from January -December 2008. The study arm had 600 patients with clinically suspected acute infectious hepatitis while control arm had 200 age and sex matched subjects. Both groups were divided into 0-10,11-20, 21-30, 31-40 and >40 years age groups .Serum samples were tested for IgM anti HAV, IgM anti HEV, IgM anti HCV and HBsAg using commercially available enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits.
Results: Highest seropositivity of anti-HAV IgM was in 0-10 years of age for the study arm. HAV seroprevalence decreased with increasing age. Highest seropositivity of HBsAg was in 20-30 years of age group for the study group (7.6%) followed by 11-20 years (4.5%), 0-10 years (2.8%) and >40 years (2.5%). Highest seropositivity to IgM anti HCV was seen in 11-20 years(9%)  in the study arm followed by 21-30 years (6.1%), 0-10 years (5.1%) and >40 years (3.7%) of age. Highest seropositivity of anti-HEV IgM was in the 21-30 years (10.7%)  in the study arm followed by 31-40 years (2.9%), 11-20 years (2.7%) and 0-10 years (0.9%).
Conclusion: Both HAV and HEV are significant causes of enterically transmitted acute viral hepatitis. HAV is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in childhood. Hepatitis B virus is the major cause of acute viral hepatitis in adults. HCV is a common cause of acute hepatitis in young adults. HCV infections remain under reported while the actual disease burden is much higher.

Keywords: Seroprevalence, Age wise, HBsAg, HCV, HAV, HEV

How to cite : Rajani M, Age wise seroprevalence of hepatitis viral markers in acute infectious hepatitis patients at a tertiary care centre in India. Indian J Microbiol Res 2016;3(3):224-229

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