[The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers in the general population]

The study objective was to measure the characteristic serological markers prevalence for viral hepatitis A, viral hepatitis B and viral hepatitis Delta in a representative group from apparent healthy general population. Viral hepatitis infections represent through their frequency and gravity a public health problem, in our country. A total of 860 subjects from 13 districts sided in the south part of the country were investigated. The sample were distributed by 9 age group. By using a certain work algorithm we examined the following serological markers: HBs Ag, anti HBs, AgHBe/antiHBe, AgHD/antiHD. For the serologic investigation we used ELISA test with Wellcozyme and Sanofi Diagnostics Pasteur Kits. The results of our study confirm high prevalence values for HAV and HBV (65.8% respectively 44.9%). We could estimate that 73.5% from the population has passed through either HAV infection or HBV infection and 29.1% to 37.7% has passed through both infections. The study also proved a very high HBs Ag carriage (10.5% to 30.9%). The HBe Ag were detected only in HBs Ag carrier children (4.5% to 13%). The presence of anti HBe was 31.4%. From the investigated persons 10% had hepatitis Delta virus infection.