Prevalence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis attending a teaching hospital in South India.

Abstract

The hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) are transmitted enterically causing severe viral hepatitis in developing countries. Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) of variable severity in adults along with asymptomatic infection, typically in children, are the two main health issues caused by fecal-orally transmitted hepatitis in our nation. This study aims to determine the prevalence, epidemiology, and biochemical correlation in AVH due to HAV and HEV. This study aims to study co-infection of HAV and HEV in AVH patients. Two years (January 2023-January 2025) of retrospective cross-sectional research were successfully executed in the Department of Microbiology at ESICMC and PGIMSR Rajajinagar, in Bangalore. In this research, 320 individuals who presented with AVH were taken into consideration. Commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to analyze blood samples for immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-HAV along with IgM anti-HEV to detect HAV and HEV, respectively, as per the history. Demographic data along with clinical information had been gathered and examined, by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26.0. <i>P</i> < 0.05 had been regarded as statistically significant in Chi-square tests, suggesting a strong correlation between the variables being studied. The incidence of HAV was 62.9%, HEV was 25.8%, whereas co-infection was 11.2%. Males had a greater incidence of HAV and HEV (85.7% and 56.5%, respectively) than females (14.3% and 43.5%, respectively). Children aged 0-14 years had a greater incidence of HAV infection, while adults had a greater prevalence of HEV. The highest levels were identified in co-infected subjects, and both HAV as well as HEV infections were linked to raised liver function indicators. Most instances occurred throughout June to October, that is in monsoon season. The prevalence of HAV is considerably greater compared to that of HEV, and an 11.2% co-infection rate necessitates HEV screening, which is crucial for enhancing personal hygiene. Minimizing the disease burden requires effective public health initiatives that address hygiene and sanitation, along with HAV vaccine campaigns.