Epidemiology and Molecular Detection of HAV, HBV, and HCV in Patients with Acute Hepatitis Symptoms in Ahvaz

Background: Viral hepatitis has emerged as a major public health problem leading to disproportionate degrees of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Objectives: This study describes epidemiology of hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), and associated risk factors in patients with acute hepatitis symptoms in southwest of Iran (Ahvaz). Methods: A total of 150 serum samples from patients with elevated serum aminotransferase levels were subjected to serological and molecular assays. Results: The sero-prevalence of HAV, HBV, and HCV was 79.3%. Furthermore, HAV, HBV, and HCV nucleic acids were detected in 28%, 18.7%, and 22.7% of samples, respectively. All HAV cases were categorized in the IB genotype and HBV isolates belonged to genotype D. Hepatitis C virus RNA-positive samples were clustered in genotypes 1a (38.3%) and 3a (61.7%). The authors found that some risk factors, such tattooing and traveling to endemic areas, had a crucial role in rising of viral hepatitis frequency in Ahvaz city. Conclusions: These results document the prevalence of circulating viral hepatitis in Ahvaz city and may draw attention to the necessity for a comprehensive program to control viral hepatitis in this region.