[Viral hepatitis A in the catchment area of the Brno University Hospital 1983-1990].

Introduction of assessment of specific anti-HAV IgM antibodies by the RIA method in 1983 and in 1989 also by the ELISA method made accurate aetiological diagnosis of viral hepatitis A (HA) possible. The authors evaluated the incidence of HA in 1983 to 1990 in the catchment area of the Clinic for Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital and Policlinic in Brno-Bohunice and the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Children of the Paediatric University Hospital with Policlinic in Brno-Cerná Pole, i.e. in a catchment area with a population of cca 850,000. In 1990 the incidence of HA increased markedly to 126 cases. This increase was due to an epidemic of HA from September to December 1990 when in September 13, in October 45 and in November 17 patients contracted the disease. In December the number of HA declined to 8. Eighteen patients from this epidemic were from the municipal Brno area 3, i.e. the area of Husovice and Zidenice. Mostly patients of gypsy origin with mutual contacts were involved. The majority of cases of HA in this epidemic had a not quite typical course, very frequently the course was protracted.