Six Year Tale of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) at a Tertiary Care Centre in Punjab: A Retrospective Study from 2018 to 2023

BACKGROUND: Acute viral hepatitis, primarily hepatitis A (HAV) and hepatitis E (HEV) carry a significant health burden in India, raising substantial public health concerns due to their link with inadequate hygiene and sanitation practices. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) and Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) among patients presenting with acute viral hepatitis at a tertiary care centre in Punjab, North India. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 3793 serum samples suspected acute viral hepatitis for collected from tertiary care hospital during six years (2018- 2023) were analyzed for IgM antibodies against HAV and HEV using Rapid diagnostic tests. RESULTS: The results revealed a higher incidence of HAV IgM positivity (13.4%) compared to HEV IgM positivity (8.7%). The combined prevalence of HAV and HEV infections was 22.15%. Gender-wise analysis showed a higher incidence of Hepatitis A in males, while Hepatitis E was more prevalent among females. Age-wise distribution indicated a higher proportion of HAV-positive cases in patients < 20 years (76.9%) and HEV-positive cases in young adults of age group 21-30 years (50%). Seasonal variation demonstrated the prevalence of both viruses throughout the year, with peaks in cases observed at the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of winter in this geographical region. Key words: Acute Viral Hepatitis; Hepatitis A Virus; Hepatitis E Virus; Rapid diagnostic tests