Abstract
This study was performed to determine whether elevation of serum transaminases can be used to eliminate unnecessary serological tests to diagnose acute hepatitis A (HAV) and acute hepatitis B (HBV). Serum samples of 1226 patients were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBc (IgM), and anti-HAV (IgM). Acute hepatitis was diagnosed in 113 (9.2%) patients; 75 were serologically positive for HAV, 36 for HBV, and 2 patients for both HAV and HBV. Serum transaminase levels were elevated in 104 of 107 (97.2%) of seropositive patients in whom the results of biochemical tests were available. A review of the medical records of seropositive patients with normal transaminases revealed that each of the three HAV patients had a remote history of hepatitis. None of the seropositive patients with a recent history of acute viral hepatitis had normal transaminase levels. During this period, serological tests were ordered in 266 of 1054 (25.2%) seronegative patients with normal serum transaminases. We conclude that serum transaminase levels can be reliably used to screen sera for acute HAV and HBV infection.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
