A B S T R A C T
Background:Hepatitis A is an acute infectious disease caused by hepatitis A virus
(HAV), which belongs to genus Hepatovirus of Picornaviridae
serotype known; Hepatitis A is the most common viral hepatitis during childhood,
especially in developing countries. The main route of infection is oral ingestion of
contaminated food or water. The average incubation period is 4 weeks.
shed the virus via stools 3-4 weeks before the onset of clinical symptoms. Virus
shedding continues for several months It is, usually, self
associated with severe complications in some patients particularly those
diseases. In rare occasions, fulminant type hepatitis is observed. Among young
children, most cases are asymptomatic or, even if symptomatic, illness is very mild. No
specific therapies are available and patients are treated symptomatically
This study was aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in 1
patients in Babylon, Iraq. Methods: This study was conducted to determine
seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus antibodies among (285) infected person age
years, during the period from January 2014 to December 2014, who
Al-Asatetha typical Health Center and public health laboratory in Babylon government.
In this study formula were used, including age, sex, seasonal variation.
Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies against hepatitis Avirus were measured in sera by
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The association between seropositivity and
demographic characteristics was studied. The results: The age groups (1
years constitute 68.38% and 30.3 % of seropositive cases, respectively, more incidences
were detected during marchand September17.42 %and 14.2%, respectively, whereas
lowest incidence recorded in January, May and April was 2.58 %and 3.23%
respectively. Conclusions: We can cloud the High incidence of Hepatitis A Virus
recorded in school age group. According to this study, hepatitis A is prevalent in the
pediatric population, and it must be considered in the approach to all susceptible cases
of acute hepatitis. Considering thedifficulties for the control of environmental sources,
we need to have a protocol for routine vaccination of children in our country.