Acute jaundice in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic.
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.
Bounlu
K
K
National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ministry of Public Health, Vientiane, Lao PDR.
Insisiengmay
S
S
Vanthanouvong
K
K
Saykham
Widjaja
S
S
Iinuma
K
K
Matsubayashi
K
K
Laras
K
K
Putri
M P
MP
Endy
T P
TP
Vaughn
D W
DW
Raengsakulrach
B
B
Hyams
K C
KC
Hayden
M
M
Scheffel
C
C
Corwin
A L
AL
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
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies