Viral hepatitis in patients hospitalized in two teaching hospitals, Tehran, Iran

Background: Viral hepatitis is a systemic infection affecting the liver predominantly. Almost all cases of acute viral hepatitis are caused by one of five viral agents: HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV and HEV. The present study aimed to find out the frequency of various forms of viral hepatitis (HAV, HBV, and HCV), route of transmission, the history of vaccination against hepatitis B, and clinical findings in 252 hepatic patients referring to 2 teaching hospitals. Patients and methods: In this descriptive study, 252 patients with viral hepatitis hospitalized in two university hospitals were included. Based on medical files, the initial data and laboratory indices including HBS-Ag, HBS-Ab, anti- HBC Ab, anti-HCV Ab (ELISA generation II), anti-HAV Ab (IgG, Ig M), and anti-HIV Ab were gathered. Results: The mean age of patients (± standard deviation) was 40.3±16.3 years. Of 252 cases, 37 (14.5) suffered from acute viral hepatitis, while 215 (85.5) were chronically infected. Finally, the frequency of various forms of viral hepatitis was as follows: hepatitis A 5.2, hepatitis B 54.8, hepatitis C 34.9, and hepatitis B and C co-infection 5.2. Conclusion: With respect to the hazardous complications of hepatitis B and C and the reality that most of the patients are in their reproductive ages, suitable strategic planning for controlling and preventing the disease is of utmost importance. ©2010 IDTMRC, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center