Etiology and clinical classification of viral hepatitis among 2263 cases in Shanxi Province

Objective To investigate the etiology and clinical classification of viral hepatitis in Shanxi Province and to provide evidence for prevention.Methods The 2263 cases of viral hepatitis treated in the First Affiliated Hos-pital of Shanxi Medical University between 2000 and 2007 were analyzed in a retrospective review with descriptive epidemiological approach.Results The predominant etiology among these 2263 cases of viral hepatitis was infection with hepatitis B virus(HBV)found in 73.8% of the cohort,followed by Non(A-E)hepatitis found in 10.3%.Chronic viral hepatitis(44.1%)and liver cirrhosis(32.9%)constituted the most of clinical classification.HBV was the most common type found in acute viral hepatitis(nearly 35.0%),followed by HEV(30.1%),as compared with a relative rate of hepatitis A virus(HAV)infection(13.4%).HBV was also the main pathogen in chronic viral hepatitis,liver cirrhosis and severe hepatitis.The prevalence of non(A-E)hepatitis virus were high in acute viral hepatitis and severe hepatitis(20.8% and 31.3% respectively).Conclusion In Shanxi Province,HBV was shown to be the predominant pathogen contributing to viral hepatitis,and the prevalence of Non(A-E)hepatitis virus was higher than the average level in China.Chronic viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis were the first two leading types in clinical classification.HAV ap-peared less common as a pathogen than HBV and HEV in acute hepatitis.Non(A-E)viruses played an important role in acute hepatitis and severe hepatitis.Virological detection therefore should be improved with emphasis on identifying new types of hepatitis viruses.In addition,monitoring of HEV should be kept alerted to prevent outbreaks.