The frequency of non-A, non-B hepatitis in acute and chronic liver disease.

Serological markers were used to determine the infective agents causing acute viral hepatitis in 246 patients. The frequencies of the five viral infections investigated were: non-A, non-B hepatitis 99 patients (40.2%); hepatitis A 98 patients (39.8%); hepatitis B 43 patients (17.5%); cytomegalovirus » 4 patients (1.6%); and EpsteinBarr virus 2 patients (0.8%). The log mean ages of presentation for the three predominant infections were: hepatitis A 18 years; hepatitis B25 years; and non-A, non-B hepatitis 30 years (F = 18.8, p = < 0.001). 52% of all cases were Malays (expected 32. 7%); 32% Chinese (expected