Etiology of acute viral hepatitis: 734 case analysis.

OBJECTIVE To study the etiological characteristics of acute viral hepatitis to set scientific preventive measures.METHODS The data of serum etiology and epidemiology of 734 patients with acute viral hepatitis in our hospital from Jan 2004 to Dec 2008 were investigated.RESULTS Among the 734 patients,15.7% were hepatitis A,17.0% hepatitis B,2.4% hepatitis C,35.2% hepatitis E and 29.7% were untyped hepatitis.The majority of the cases distributed in the age group of 30-69 years(67.4%).The HAV infection occurred mainly in the age group of 15-49 years(62.7%).The HBV infection and the HCV infection occurred mainly in the age group of 15-69 years(96.0% and 94.5%,respectively).The HEV infection occurred mainly in the age group of 30-69 years(61.3%).The untyped hepatitis infection occurred mainly in the age group of 50-69 years(74.3%).The ratio of male(519 cases)to female(215 cases)was 2.4∶1.The peak seasons of viral hepatitis were the 1st and 2nd seasons of the year.In various clinical types,453 cases(61.7%)were acute icteric hepatitis,264 cases(36.0%)were acute non-icteric hepatitis and 17 cases(2.3%)were severe hepatitis.CONCLUSIONS Hepatitis E and untyped hepatitis are common among acute viral hepatitis.The acute icteric viral hepatitis is the main clinical type.Personal hygiene helps to prevent spread of HAV and HEV.Vaccination is an effective method for prevention of HAV and HBV infection.