IJMABHR International Journal of Medical and All Body Health ResearchIJMABHR 2582-8940 Anfo Publication House 508 10.54660/IJMBHR.2026.7.3.66-70 Study of Serological Markers of Parenterally Transmitted Viral Infections (Hepatitis B and C) in Acute Suspected Hepatitis TiwariShekhar RajaniMonika SenguptaChandrim Department of Microbiology, Dr. KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, Dr. KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, Dr. KNS Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, India 09072026 7 3 66 70 13052026 11062026 CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major parenterally transmitted hepatotropic viruses that frequently present as acute hepatitis, clinically indistinguishable from enterically transmitted hepatitis A and E without laboratory confirmation. Serological markers – hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), IgM antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (IgM anti-HBc), and antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) – remain the cornerstone of initial diagnostic evaluation of acute suspected hepatitis.  Objective: To review the diagnostic serological marker profile and reported prevalence of HBV and HCV among patients with acute suspected hepatitis. Methods: A narrative literature review of peer-reviewed Indian and international studies, surveillance reports, and diagnostic guidelines.  Results: Hospital-based studies report HBsAg positivity ranging from 2.8% to 16.10% and anti-HCV positivity from 1.8% to 11.98% among acute hepatitis cohorts, considerably higher than community-level estimates. IgM anti-HBc is essential to confirm acute HBV infection, while anti-HCV has reduced sensitivity during the acute window period.  Conclusion: A structured serological panel combining HBsAg, IgM anti-HBc, and anti-HCV, interpreted within a defined diagnostic algorithm, remains essential for accurate evaluation of acute suspected hepatitis and supports broader viral hepatitis elimination efforts.  

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