Hepatitis virus non-A, non-B: The cause of a major public health problem in India

Abstract

Serological studies of hepatitis viruses A and B were carried out on 362 patients with acute viral hepatitis, 130 with fulminant hepatitis, and 56 with subacute hepatitis, and on samples ofserumfrom 230 subjects during epidemics ofviral hepatitis. A diagnosis ofnon-A, non-B viral hepatitis was made when serological tests showed that anti-HA V IgM and anti-HBc IgM were absent. Hepatitis virus non-A, non-B was the causative agent responsiblefor 58% of cases with acute viral hepatitis, 58%o with fulminant hepatitis, 87%with subacute hepatitis, and 66% with epidemic hepatitis. A considerable proportion of patients (6-32%) were infected with both hepatitis virus non-A, non-B and hepatitis virus B. Viral hepatitis non-A, non-B is probably transmitted by infection ofdrinking-water and is the principal cause of hepatitis in India.Hepatitis virus A, hepatitis virus B, hepatitis virus non-A, non-B, and delta agent are the four important primary etiological agents of viral hepatitis. Hepatitis virus non-A, non-B consists of two distinct groups of viruses, one of which is responsible for posttransfusion hepatitis, and the other for a waterborne, faecal/oral infection. Hepatitis virus A causes a relatively benign disease and does not constitute a major public health problem.In contrast, hepatitis virus B is responsible for severe liver damage and is associated with chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease is one of the most serious public health problems in the world. Spread of hepatitis virus B can be controlled by using disposable needles and syringes, by more scrupulous sterilization of surgical instruments and appliances, and by immunization with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and/or hepatitis B vaccine.Hepatitis virus non-A, non-B, has now emerged as a major cause of hepatitis. Some countries have reported waterborne viral hepatitis non-A, non-B, and in India, where the supply of safe drinking-water is difficult, the disease poses an enormous health problem.