[Sporadic non-A, non-B hepatitis in Argentina. The responsibility of the hepatitis E virus?]

Sporadic non A, non B hepatitis non related to blood transfusions or parenteral exposure is present in India and various countries of southeast Asia and Africa. We present the experience in a northeastern region of Argentina from January 1987 to September 1990. During this period twenty one patients where identified with acute hepatitis without serologic evidence of infection with HAV, HBV, HCV, toxoplasmosis, infectious mononucleosis nor clinical evidence of Herpes virus infection. Clinic and biochemical parameters were analyzed and showed a considerable elevation of transaminases and cholestasis. Of the 21 patients diagnosed as having acute non A non B hepatitis of probable enteric transmission (NANBE), 10 where male and 11 female. Mean age was 24.7 years. In all cases the disease was self limited and follow up during more than one year after the acute episode did not demonstrate signs of reactivation nor evidence of chronicity.