A three-year retrospective study of infectious hepatitis at a teaching hospital in Northern India

Infectious hepatitis is primarily attributed to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections, which exhibit distinct geographical distribution patterns and varying prevalence rates worldwide, influenced by factors such as sanitation, hygiene, and socioeconomic conditions. Due to the paucity of prevalence data, the exact burden of the disease in Northern India is not established.

This retrospective observational study, conducted over 3 years (January 2022 to December 2024), analyzed serum samples from patients presenting with clinical features of acute viral hepatitis (AVH) at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Northern India. ELISA-based detection of IgM antibodies against HAV and HEV was performed on 1203 and 1102 serum samples, respectively.

The seroprevalence of HAV and HEV in our study was 28.76% and 3.45%, respectively. A notable finding was the low co-infection rate of HAV and HEV (n = 10 patients). The study revealed significant gender disparities in the seroprevalence of HAV and HEV. The seroprevalence of HAV and HEV infections was significantly higher among males, with rates of 70.2% and 55.3%, respectively. Both HAV and HEV exhibited higher positivity rates among young adults (>18-45 years), with HEV showing a comparatively higher positivity rate (63.1%) than HAV (46%). The data showed a distinct seasonal pattern, with most reactive cases reported from April to August.

Regular diagnosis of AVH etiology, coupled with ongoing case monitoring, is crucial for effective patient management and to inform evidence-driven policy formulation for disease control initiatives.