Age-specific prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis A and E viruses in Pune, India, 1982 and 1992.

The age-specific seroprevalence of antibody to hepatitis A virus (HAV) and antibody to hepatitis E virus (HEV) were studied in persons in Pune, India, where both viruses are endemic. The data showed that HAV infected the majority of persons by age 3 years and virtually 100% by late childhood. In contrast, infection with HEV was rare in children and did not reach peak prevalence (33%-40%) until early adulthood. The reason for the differences in infection rates between HAV and HEV is not known. Age-specific antibody patterns in serum samples obtained 10 years apart show that neither HAV nor HEV has diminished in medical importance in this Indian community.