Prevalence of hepatitis delta virus among hemodialysis and renal transplant patients.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus infection is an important cause of liver disease in hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. Hepatitis Delta virus is a defective virus transmitted by the same route of hepatitis B virus, which requires the helper function of hepatitis B virus. Data about hepatitis B virus/hepatitis delta virus coinfection are scarce and there are no studies regarding the coinfection among hemodialysis patients and renal transplant in our country. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis delta virus infection among hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients. Cross-sectional study analyzing virological markers of hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus infection and biochemical and clinical features of liver disease of patients infected with hepatitis B virus in hemodialysis and renal transplant. A total of 117 HBsAg-positive patients (46 hemodialysis and 71 renal transplant) were included. The mean age was 48.5 ± 11.8 years and 67% were males. Antiviral therapy was given to 74% of patients. Liver function tests were within the normal range. HBeAg-positive was found in 35% of patients and median hepatitis B virus DNA was 2.98 log (IU/mL). Cirrhosis was detected in 26.5% of patients. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis delta virus total antibody (+) was 1.7% (2/117). None of the 2 patients had active hepatitis delta virus infection, since all samples tested negative for hepatitis delta virus-RNA. The results suggest a low prevalence rate of coinfection B and D in hemodialysis and renal transplant recipients in this population.