Context: Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) is predominantly caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV), the prevalence of which varies in different geographical regions.
Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HAV and HEV infections in patients with AVH, the rate of HAV-HEV co-infection and the prevalence of HEV infection among pregnant women with hepatitis.
Settings and design: It was a retrospective observational study conducted over 3 years from January 2015 to December 2017, after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee.
Subjects and methods: A total of 675 serum samples were collected from patients with a clinical diagnosis of AVH, between January 2015 and December 2017. The study population included outdoor and hospitalised patients between 3 and 70 years of age who presented with signs and symptoms of hepatitis. The presence of IgM anti-HAV and IgM anti-HEV antibodies in serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test.
Results: The prevalence of HAV, HEV and HAV-HEV co-infection was found to be 6.96%, 9.63% and 2.07%, respectively. Among males, this was 7.3%, 8.8% and 2.6%, respectively and in females 6.7%, 10.2% and 1.7%, respectively. However, these differences in the prevalence rates were of no statistical significance. The prevalence of HEV infection in pregnant women with hepatitis was 9.4%. HAV and HEV infections showed a seasonal trend with predominance during summer and rainy seasons (May to September).
Conclusions: A higher seroprevalence of HEV as compared to HAV together with a co-infection rate of 2.07% mandates screening for HEV in all suspected cases of acute hepatitis, particularly pregnant women in whom the outcomes of HEV infection are poor. Health and civic authorities should make necessary efforts to counter epidemic or outbreak situations, thus reducing morbidity, mortality and economic burden.
Keywords: Acute viral hepatitis; hepatitis A; hepatitis E; pregnant women; seroepidemiology.