title: Pattern of viral hepatitis infection in a selected population from Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Viral hepatitis is an important health problem worldwide. Globally, three major viruses are the leading cause of hepatitis: hepatitis A, B, and C. In this study, we have investigated the pattern of hepatitis among the National Guard personnel and their extended families seen in the central region of Saudi Arabia. The most dominant type of hepatitis infection was hepatitis B virus (HBV), followed by hepatitis C virus (HCV), and to a lesser extent hepatitis A virus (HAV). Our results showed three different age groups at risk of acquiring the infection: HAV, which is mainly a disease of the young; HBV, a disease of adolescents and adults; and HCV, a disease of the elderly. There was no significant difference in the male:female ratio in HAV and HCV; however, as seen in the developed countries, more males were affected with HBV than females. These data will pave the way for further studies by identifying the risk groups for the three major hepatitis infections and by using the data as a preventive tool to educate those risk groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, P.O. 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Memish
authors.forename: Laila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qasim
authors.forename: Eman
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Abed
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: AlBasheer
authors.forename: Asaad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aldraihim
authors.forename: Bandar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Knawy
authors.forename: Ali H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Hajeer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens