Hepatitis A

Abstract

Hepatitis A, a liver injury caused by hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection, is one of a major global public-health problems that are enterically transmitted. It is estimated that 1.5 million people with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infections worldwide. The transmission of HAV occurs mainly by the fecal-oral route. There are six major genotypes of HAV but only one serotype. HAV genotypes 1, 2 and 3 are mainly restricted to humans whereas genotypes 4, 5 and 6 cause simian infections. The common laboratory testing for HAV infection included detection of IgM and IgG anti-HAV antibodies, detection of HAV RNA and HAV antigen. This article reviews the
information on basic knowledge of HAV, epidemiology, transmissions, pathogenesis, preventions and the laboratory diagnosis of HAV infection.