Prevalence of hepatitis E and hepatitis B dual infection in North India (Delhi).

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The prevalence of dual infection was 2.8% (26/927). Majority of these patients had presented with acute flare of a chronic liver disease (42.3%) followed by acute jaundice (38.5%).We found HEV infection to be was highly prevalent among 20 to 40 years of age group. In the case of HBV only 5.37% (5/93) children were affected in the age group 0-10 years.

METHODS

Serum samples from 1147 proven HEV infection suspected were collected and tested for HBsAg and HEV (IgM) antibodies using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay kits (bio Merieux, France).

RESULTS

There were the 32.16% (367/1141) HEV positive cases. We found maximum HEV positivity in the age group of 21-30 years. There were 2.8% (26/927) HEV and HBV dully infected patients. The total 44.68% (273/611) suspected of acute hepatitis/jaundice were HEV positive.

CONCLUSION

The HEV found to be was highly prevalent among 20 to 40 years of age group. The males were more frequent than females for HEV and HBV infection. In the children's, there were lower attack of both HEV and HBV. The maximum patients were having acute hepatitis/jaundice in both HEV and HBV infection. There were 26 dually infected patients in 12 months.