Viral hepatitis in the Christchurch community.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative frequency of known causes of viral hepatitis in the Christchurch community.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected at a private laboratory from patients aged 15-75 years who had an elevated transaminase of at least twice normal.


RESULTS
One hundred and thirty-three subjects entered the study of whom 32 were positive for Epstein Barr virus, three for cytomegalovirus, nine for hepatitis A virus, and eight for hepatitis B virus. Paired convalescent samples were obtained from 64 of the remaining 81 subjects (17 lost or declined) and seven of these were positive for hepatitis C. Assuming a similar percentage in the lost/declined group this corrects to nine.


CONCLUSIONS
The relative frequency of viral agents causing hepatitis was Epstein Barr virus 52%, cytomegalovirus 5%, hepatitis A virus 15%, hepatitis B virus 13% and hepatitis C virus 15%. Hepatitis C virus is a common cause of viral hepatitis in the Christchurch community.
Chapman
B A
BA
Department of Gastroenterology, Christchurch Hospital.
Hann
D J
DJ
Schousboe
M I
MI
Burt
M J
MJ
Wilkinson
I D
ID
George
P M
PM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies