Enteric Transmitted Hepatitis Viruses in Delhi: Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Objective: To estimate the seroprevalence of enteric transmitted hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in patients presented with acute viral hepatitis in a tertiary care hospital, Delhi. Methods: It was a retrospective study from February 2019 to December 2020 conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Delhi. Serum samples from clinically suspected hepatitis patients sent for HAV and HEV testing were included in the study. The samples were tested for HAV and HEV Immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data collected in Excel sheet were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. Chi-square and Fischer exact test were used wherever necessary. Results: Viral etiology (HAV or HEV) was found in 122 (18%) patients. IgM HAV was detected in 75 (11%) patients whereas IgM HEV in 47 (7%) patients. The coinfection of HAV and HEV was not observed. HAV infection was significantly more common in pediatric age group 32.8% (59/180; P < 0.001) whereas HEV was significantly more common in adolescent and adult age group 8.6% (42/491; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Periodic surveillance of enteric transmitted viruses causing hepatitis needs to be conducted at hospital as well as community level to ascertain the true burden of the disease and changing epidemiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]