Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemiological and clinical features of acute hepatitis A and acute hepatitis E.Methods The epidemiological and clinical data of patients with acute hepatitis A or hepatitis E in our hospital from Jan 2011 to Dec 2015 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Results Gender composition showed no difference between acute hepatitis A group and acute hepatitis E group, with male patients as the majority in both groups. However, the age of onset had significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). Young adults were the major part in acute hepatitis A group, while the aged patients (> 50 years old) accounted for a large percentage in acute hepatitis E group. Different from acute hepatitis A occurred all years, acute hepatitis E was peaked in winter and spring. Acute hepatitis A had more specific exposure history to contaminated food than acute hepatitis E (P<0.05). All patients could appear nausea, vomiting and jaundice. Compared to that in acute hepatitis A, the level of bilirubin was higher (P<0.05) and lasted longer (P<0.05) in acute hepatitis E patients. There were no significant differences in liver function and treatment course between the two groups. Compared to acute hepatitis E, acute hepatitis A showed better prognosis. All cases were with favorable prognosis except that 2 aged acute hepatitis E patients finally progressed into liver failure with poor outcome.Conclusion Young adults were the major part in acute hepatitis A and the aged patients accounted for a large percentage of acute hepatitis E. Compared to acute hepatitis A patients, Acute hepatitis E patients had higher jaundice level, longer lasting time and higher mortality. Therefore, the prevention of acute hepatitis E should be paid more attention.

Key words: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, Clinical feature, Epidemiology