Introduction: Acute viral hepatitis [AVH] due to feco-oral
group of hepatitis viruses is endemic in India. Till recently outbreaks of
hepatitis E virus infection were more common than ones due to hepatitis A
virus. A change in the epidemiology of these infections has been observed over
the last decade. Aim: The present study aimed at determining the seroprevalence
of IgM antibodies to hepatitis A and E virus in clinically diagnosed acute
viral hepatitis cases. And to determine the various epidemiologic factors
associated with it. Study Design: A cross sectional study was carried out on
patients with acute viral hepatitis referred from paediatric and gastro
enterology department of Princess Esra hospital. Place and Duration of Study:
Serum samples from one hundred and eight symptomatic subjects were analysed for
anti IgM antibodies to hepatitis A and E virus and liver function test in the
department of laboratory medicine for Microbiology and biochemistry at Princess
Esra Hospital, Deccan College of Medical Sciences between January 2013 and
January 2014. Methodology: After obtaining informed consent, blood samples were
collected from all the subjects under strict aseptic precautions and tested for
anti- HAV and Anti-HEV IgM antibodies using capture Elisa from Diasorin
[Italy]. Biochemical analyses included estimation of serum aminotransferases,
alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels. Results: An overall seropositivity
of 54% was observed in the present study. More number of the subjects as 46.29%
tested positive for anti HAV IgM than for anti HEV IgM as 7.4%. Co-infections
due to both hepatitis A & E virus were nil. Acute viral hepatitis due to
hepatitis A virus was more common in children in the age group 6-10 years
followed by 11-15 years and least in 0-5 years of age indicating an
epidemiological shift. Whereas infection with hepatitis E virus was more common
in adolescent and adults. Males were more susceptible to both the infections
than females. Liver function test results correlated well with viral markers
indicating acute hepatic parenchymal inflammation and injury. The socioeconomic
status of the individuals revealed that 95% of the subjects were from below
poverty line and didn’t have access to proper drinking water and sanitary
facilities. None were vaccinated against Hepatitis A virus. In the rest 46.31%
of the cases of AVH the aetiology remained unspecified. Conclusion: From the
above data it is evident that more than 50% of the AVH cases in the present
study were due to faeco-oral group of hepatitis viruses. A strategic approach
for control and prevention of the same is required. It is envisaged that with
the new national action plan [2019] in place to combat viral hepatitis as part
of SDG 3.3 which aims at and ensures “health for all”. India will be able to
successfully bring down the prevalence of acute viral hepatitis effectively if
not completely by 2030.
Author (s) Details
Dr.
Sarwat Fatima Author (s) Details
Department of Microbiology, Ayaan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Moinabad District, Telangana State, India
View Book :- http://bp.bookpi.org/index.php/bpi/catalog/book/196
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