Non-A, non-B epidemic hepatitis: visualization of virus-like particles in the stool by immune electron microscopy

Acute-phase stool samples collected from hepatitis cases during outbreaks of water-borne epidemic hepatitis were examined by immune electron microscopy (IEM). Spherical virus-like particles (27 nm in diameter) were visualized in the stool of a hepatitis patient with serological evidence of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis. The IEM demonstrated serological specificity of the antigen with the patient's own convalescent serum as well as a known pool of NANB hepatitis convalescent sera. It is suggested that these virus-like particles may be the aetiological agent of faeco -orally transmitted NANB epidemic hepatitis in India.