Infections due to hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV) a
nd hepatitis E (HEV) viruses are the major causes of hepatitis and are asso
ciated with significant morbidity and mortality in developing countries lik
e Bangladesh. The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence
of HBsAg, anti-HCV antibody, anti-HAV antibody and anti-HEV antibody in pa
tients suspected of having infection by HBV, HCV, HAV and HEV, respectively
. Antibody to HAV was detected in 39% of subjects investigated. HBsAg was i
dentified in 19% of subjects. Antibody to MCV and HEV was detected in 13% a
nd 53% subjects, respectively. Infection with HAV was very high among child
ren 6 less than or equal to years of age (100%). On the contrary, exposure
to HEV was higher in adult persons greater than or equal to 30 years of age
(52%) compared to that in children less than or equal to 6 years of age wh
o had 0% incidence. Our study clearly indicates a high prevalence of those
viruses, particularly of enterically transmitted HAV and HEV in Bangladesh,
which appeared to be a serious health problem in this developing country.
Control measures should be taken on an urgent basis to prevent the spread o
f infections by these viruses.