title: Acute jaundice in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
abstract: Analysis of serum samples from patients with acute jaundice by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction testing provided the first profile of this condition in Vientiane, Lao PDR, in 1995 and 1996. In a case-control, hospital-based study, evidence of acute infections due to hepatitis A and B viruses was found in 14% and 10% of cases, respectively. Hepatitis E virus, however, did not appear to contribute to clinically recognized acute jaundice. Similarly, antibody to hepatitis C virus was recognized in almost equal proportions of cases (8%) and controls (6%), thus representing probable background infections. The detection of hepatitis G virus marks the first report of this virus in Lao PDR. The large proportion (21%) of new leptospiral infections in cases without acute hepatitis A or B was notable. This finding suggests significant regional underreporting of leptospirosis as a cause of acute jaundice. The limited laboratory diagnostic capabilities for confirming a differential diagnosis of leptospirosis contribute to the lack of attention paid to this important health problem.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bounlu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Insisiengmay
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vanthanouvong
authors.lastname: Saykham
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Widjaja
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Iinuma
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Matsubayashi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laras
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Putri
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Endy
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Vaughn
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Raengsakulrach
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Hyams
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayden
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scheffel
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Corwin
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies