Abstract

In this prospective study, two hundred and fifty four patients diagnosed to be having AVH were analyzed with reference to clinical profile & viral markers and statistical analysis was done. Isolated viral infection was documented in 102 (40.1%) patients where as more than one hepatotrophic viruses caused AVH in 27(10.6%) patients. Non A-E Virus was the major case of sporadic AVH (40.1%), HBV & HEV were the etiological agent in 23.6% & 25.1% respectively. HAV was detected in 16.5% of the patients and the HCV was incriminated rarely as cause of sporadic AVH. The demographic, clinical and biochemical profile amongst isolated & mixed viral infection were found to be similar. However, HBV-AVH had significant prolonged course (p<0.001) and HAV-AVH was found to have significantly higher number of patients pursing a course of relapsing hepatitis. However HAV infection amongst adults in the present study was not found to cause severe liver disease except in few cases.