HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS TYPE-2, CYTOMEGALOVIRUS AND EPSTEIN-BARR-VIRUS INFECTION IN ACUTE NON-A TO NON-E HEPATITIS THAI PATIENTS

A significant number of acute nan A to E hepatitis cases are reported in Thailand every year, and the etiologies of these cases are unknown. Members of the herpesviridae family have been reported to cause eithe r a self limited or fatal hepatitis in a small proportion of patients in other parts of the world. To determine whether herpesviruses may pl ay a role in acute non A to E hepatitis, sera from 32 acute hepatitis patients without markers for acute hepatitis A to E virus infection we re examined for IgM to herpesvirus type 2 (HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CM V), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) using commercially available assays. IgM to HSV-2 was detected in four sera, IgM to CMV was detected in one serum, and IgM to EBV was detected in one serum. All of the acute non A to E hepatitis patients recovered and none had underlying condition s associated with impaired immunity. These results suggest that herpes viruses should be considered in the differential diagnosis for Thai pa tients with hepatitis.