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. 2022 Feb;11(2):567-572.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1212_21. Epub 2022 Feb 16.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in patients at a teaching hospital of northern India over a period of 8 years

Yashik Bansal  1 , Nidhi Singla  2 , Karan Garg  3 , Geetanjali Sharma  2 , Meenakshi Gill  2 , Jagdish Chander  2
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of hepatitis A and hepatitis E in patients at a teaching hospital of northern India over a period of 8 years

Yashik Bansal et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Considering the diverse socio-economic and demographic factors in a vast country like India, it is important to study the long-term trends of hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis E (HEV) viruses. This study describes their seroprevalence and long-term trends in a tertiary care center of North India.

Methods: The present retrospective observational study was conducted over a period of 8 years (January 2011-December 2018). Serological testing was done for detecting IgM antibodies against HAV and HEV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: A total of 5319 samples were received during the study period, of which 903 (16.9%) were reactive for anti-HAV IgM antibodies and 795 (14.9%) were reactive for anti-HEV IgM antibodies. Majority of the cases occurred from June to October while HEV cases had a constant presence during the later years. Among HAV group, 534 (59.1%) were children, 336 (37.2%) were adults, and 33 (3.7%) were pregnant females. In HEV group, 632 (79.5%) were adults, 114 (14.3%) were pregnant females, whereas only 49 (6.2%) were children. Among those who were co-infected (n = 87), 48 (55.2%) were adults, 22 (25.3%) were pregnant females, and the rest 17 (19.5%) were children.

Conclusions: The shift in seroprevalence toward adults, along with an increasing trend of the number of cases reporting to the hospital, warrants active surveillance of HAV. Similarly, screening protocols for HEV should be set up as part of the antenatal management for early detection of the cases among pregnant females.

Keywords: Enteric hepatitis; hepatitis A; hepatitis E; seroprevalence; viral hepatitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Yearly trends of HAV and HEV cases
Figure 2
Figure 2
Month-wise trends of HAV and HEV cases
Figure 3
Figure 3
HAV in special risk groups
Figure 4
Figure 4
HEV in special risk groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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