[Epidemiology of viral hepatitis in Algeria]

Viral hepatitis is endemoepidemic in Algeria. Recent serologic and epidemiological surveys have specified the importance of A, B and non A non B viruses respectively and brought out some details. -- Hepatitis A is very common: 96% of individuals have anti-HAV antibodies. Patients come into contact with the virus before the age of 10. No symptoms are found in 95% of cases. Icteric hepatitis occurs in infants. -- Hepatitis B infection includes 40 to 50% of icteric hepatitis in adults. Clinical and biological symptoms are similar to those described in the literature. The prevalence of HBs Ag carriers is within the range of 1,8 to 2,8%, but reach high level in Eastern and Saharian Regions of Algeria. It increases with age and low socio-economic status. In hospital environment, laboratory technicians and room servants is the most frequently contaminated personnel. -- Non A non B hepatitis is so far the least known in Algeria. In 1981, an epidemic of water-borne non A non B hepatitis was reported.