Hepatitis in Indonesia

Because Indonesia is a large archipelago, the prevalence of viral infections varies greatly by region: Of acute hepatitis patients, 43%–68% were infected with hepatitis A virus (HAV), 6%–26% with hepatitis B virus (HBV), and 15%–37% with non-A, non-B. Anti-HAV antibodies were detected in 36%–100% of 5-year-old children. The prevalence of HBsAg in the general population has been estimated at 2.4%–9.1%, whereas outside Java Island the rates are as high as 17%. HBsAg was positive in 37%–50% and 38%–52% of patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, respectively. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody was detected in 0.5%–3.4% of blood donors, 10%–16% of acute hepatitis, 31%–74% of liver cirrhosis, and 21%–41% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. HBV and HCV appear to be the two most important causes of chronic liver disease in Indonesia, although 14%–25% of liver cirrhosis and 25%–29% of hepatocellular carcinoma patients had no serologic evidence for HBV or HCV.