Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Patients with Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection

Abstract

Objective: The current study was conducted in order to reveal the epidemiologic, biochemical and virologic properties of the HEV cases particularly in patients with HDV infection. We also analysed the impact of HDV infection on HEV seroprevalence in Van region of eastern part of Turkey where the both diseases are still endemic. Material and Methods: 198 individuals that admitted to a tertiary hospital in the period of between May 2015 and May 2018 were retrospectively examined. Epidemiologic data, results of the biochemical, serologic and virologic tests were recorded. Results:Our analysis proved higher seroprevalence both of Anti HEV Ig G and anti HEV Ig M in most patients hospitalised with chronic HDV infection than in patients with chronic HBV infection (77% versus 44%; p=0.001 and 23% versus 6%; p=0.003, respectively). We also noticed that there were higher levels of AST (49±34 versus 26±12 U/L; p=0.005) and ALT (45±27 versus 28±15 U/L; p=0.001) and lower levels of platelet (159.000±91.000 versus 223.000±69.000 /mm3; p<0.001) and serum albumin (3.8±0.8 versus 4.2±0.3 mg/dl.; p<0.001) in chronic HDV patients than in chronic hepatitis B patients. Conclusion: Presence of HDV infection is a major risk factor for spreading HEV infection because of same environmental conditions. We conclude that patients with HDV infection have a considerable role in the transmission of the disease due to impaired liver condition. Additionally, delta hepatitis remains a serious health concern particularly in patients older than 45 years. Larger case series are needed to accurately guide in the success of the disease treatment.