Prevalence of hepatitis a virus (HAV) and hepatitis e virus (HEV) in the patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis

Background: Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are both enterically transmitted, resulting in acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in developing countries. They pose major health problems in our country. This study was done to determine prevalence of HAV and HEV in patients presenting with AVH and the co-infection of HAV and HEV in these patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 1-year duration was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, MAX Hospital Deharadun. A non-random sampling of 315 patients presenting with AVH was considered in the study. On the basis of history, serum samples were analysed for IgM antiHAV and IgM anti-HEV for the detection of HAV and HEV, respectively using commercially available ELISA kits. Results: The seroprevalence of HAV- and HEV-positive patients were 10.79% and 26.66%, respectively. The seroprevalence of both HAV and HEV in patients with acute viral hepatitis was 0.32%. The prevalence of HAV and HEV among males (13% and 27.11%) was higher than in females (7.97% and 26.08%). These infections were predominantly seen during end of monsoons and beginning of winter. Conclusion: The prevalence of HEV is higher than that of HAV. These data will be essential for planning of future vaccination strategies and for better sanitation programme in this part of the country.