The importance of delta virus infection in australia and the western pacific region

Abstract

Widely different patterns of infection with HDV have been demonstrated among patients with acute viral hepatitis and among chronic carriers of HBV in different parts of the world. In Australia, infection with HDV is relatively common among intravenous drug users with acute hepatite and is seen with greater frequency among chronic carriers of HBs Ag born in Southern Europe or South East Asia and carriers with evidence of chronic liver disease. Patterns of infection with HDV vary throughout the Pacific, with infection and disease being uncommon in most countries. High rates of infection have been identified in Nauru, Niue and the Samoas, and there is evidence from at least one closely-monitored cammunity that chronic infection with HDV is associated with chronic liver disease. Widely different patterns of infection with HDV have been demonstrated among patients with acute viral hepatitis and among chronic carriers of HBV in different parts of the world. In Australia, infection with HDV is relatively common among intravenous drug users with acute hepatite and is seen with greater frequency among chronic carriers of HBs Ag born in Southern Europe or South East Asia and carriers with evidence of chronic liver disease. Patterns of infection with HDV vary throughout the Pacific, with infection and disease being uncommon in most countries. High rates of infection have been identified in Nauru, Niue and the Samoas, and there is evidence from at least one closely-monitored cammunity that chronic infection with HDV is associated with chronic liver disease.