Etiology of acute viral hepatitis in Israel
Ben-Porath, E.; Enat, R.; Gruia, M.; Satinger, Y.
Harefuah 108(12): 583-585
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0017-7768 PMID: 4065723 Document Number: 251525
Sensitive tests for serum markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and A virus (HAV) were used to establish the etiology of acute viral hepatitis in 91 hospitalized patients. Sera were tested for the following markers: anti-HAV antibodies of the IgG and IgM types, HBsAg, and anti-HBc antibodies of the IgG and IgM types. Serological evidence for type A hepatitis was found in 73%, for type B in 13%, while in 14% there was no evidence for either type A or type B hepatitis and they were diagnosed as having non-A, non-B hepatitis. Post-transfusion hepatitis was not observed in the hepatitis A patients. Two of 12 hepatitis B patients and 6 of 13 with non-A, non-b hepatitis had a history of blood transfusion 1-5 months prior to onset of jaundice. Most patients with hepatitis A (83%) were under 30 years of age; hepatitis B was diagnosed in patients between 21-50 years old, while non-A, non-B hepatitis was diagnosed mainly in older patients. These results indicate that in contrast to most highly developed countries, HAV is still the most important cause of hepatitis in Israel.