Published in:
10-06-2023 | Acute Liver Failure | Editorial
Acute hepatitis in tropics: A rainbow of causes
Authors:
Anil C. Anand, Dibyalochan Praharaj
Published in:
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology
|
Issue 3/2023
Login to get access
Excerpt
The focus of medical attention is gradually shifting towards non-communicable (or lifestyle) diseases worldwide [
1,
2], although the developing world still has a fair burden of infectious diseases [
3]. In India, too, the high prevalence of infectious diseases continues to pose significant challenges [
4,
5]. Acute viral hepatitis is a common problem in this country [
6] and is recognized by the rapid onset of prodrome followed by jaundice and elevated transaminases. Along with these features, some patients may develop derangement of coagulation parameters and altered sensorium, i.e. the syndrome of acute liver failure (ALF), which carries high mortality. Commonest cause for acute hepatitis in India remains a plethora of hepatotropic viruses (commonly hepatitis A, B and E). In this region, the syndrome of jaundice, elevated transaminases with or without encephalopathy, may also occur due to several bacterial, protozoal or non-hepatotropic viral infections [
7,
8]. While many such infections have effective treatment available, the lack of awareness about these infections can lead to unwanted outcomes. …
