Hepatitis viruses in Kathmandu, Nepal: hospital-based study

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Virology

Background:

• Acute viral hepatitis (AVH) poses a significant public health challenge globally.
• Understanding the specific etiological agents and their prevalence is crucial for effective management and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the causes and outcomes of sporadic acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• To determine the prevalence of different hepatitis viruses in the region.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted on 210 patients presenting with AVH in Kathmandu.
• Patients were tested for serological markers of hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV).
• Liver function tests were performed to assess the impact of infection.

Main Results:

• Out of 210 patients, 52 (24.7%) tested positive for viral hepatitis markers.
• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) was the predominant cause, identified in 36 (69.2%) of positive cases.
• Hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) accounted for 15.3%, 13.4%, and 1.9% of infections, respectively.
• Elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin levels were observed in infected patients.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the major etiological agent of acute viral hepatitis in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• The findings indicate that Nepal is endemic for HEV infection.
• Further public health interventions targeting HEV are warranted.