DIFERENTIAL DIAGNOSTIC HEPATOTROPIC AND NO HEPATOTROPIC VIRUSES IN MARACAIBO-VENEZUELA- AÑO 2007

Hepatitis can be caused by different hepatotropic viruses, including A, B, C, D, E, G hepatitis viruses. In the last few years some cases of hepatitis have been reported where no hepatotropic viruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein Barr virus (EBV), have been related with this condition, even with the same symptomatology that is typical for hepatitis viruses. Using serological testing applied to serum samples we determined the presence of CMV or EBV in symptomatic patients who were negative for hepatotropic viruses in 2007. The frequency of each virus with typical symptoms of the illness was examined for CMV and EBV. Of 53 negative patients for hepatotropic virus; 13 (24.5%) were positive for CMV and 6 (11.4%) for EBV and 34 (25%) were negative for all the studied viruses and because of that were considered “etiology not identified.” The most commonly correlated symptoms with all viruses were jaundice, dark urine and light-colored feces and the most frequent symptoms due to the investigated viruses were anorexia, jaundice and weakness.