Prevalence Of Hepatitis D Virus Infection Research Articles

Frequency of hepatitis D virus with different hepatitis B virus serological markers and coinfections in hospital patients from Argentina: synchronous testing of anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA-positive cases with total anti-HDV antibodies nonreactive were documented. Moreover, HDV infection was observed in subjects with occult hepatitis B virus infection. The prevalence of HDV infection in Argentina is low; however, further research in different populations is needed. This study aimed to perform synchronous HDV detection in reactive hepatitis B virus patients treated in a public hospital in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, some of whom were coinfected with hepatitis C virus and/or HIV. A total of 189 hepatitis B virus-reactive serum samples with or without hepatitis C virus and/or HIV coinfection were synchronously analyzed for anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA. HDV prevalence was 4.2% with HDV RNA found in 61 samples, most of which were nonreactive to anti-HDV antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen. Genotype 1 was identified in all HDV sequences. Moreover, triple and quadruple infections were observed, showing a high frequency of HDV infection in hospitalized patients not following the recommended diagnostic algorithm. This study is evidence that the synchronous testing of anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA is necessary for the diagnosis of HDV infection in Argentina. Finally, further research is necessary to identify high-risk populations and improve prevention and control strategies for triple and quadruple infections and their potential consequences.

Hepatitis D virus seroprevalence in HBsAg positive patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Northeast India

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection is present worldwide. Around 18 million people are estimated to be infected with HDV and can infect individuals with active HBV infection and cause severe liver disease. There is lack of data on the prevalence of HDV infection in the state and also in the region. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of HDV in HBsAg positive patients attending Regional Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Imphal, Manipur, India.Methods: This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital (Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal).The study was done for a period of 2 years from September 2016 to August 2018. A total of 119 HBsAg ELISA positive cases were included in the study.Results: Out of 119 HBsAg positive cases, 5 cases were positive for hepatitis D antibodies, of which 3 were positive for anti-Hepatitis D virus IgM and 2 were positive for anti-Hepatitis D virus IgG. Seroprevalence of HDV infection was found to be 4.2%.Conclusions: Seroprevalence of HDV infection was found to be 4.2% which is higher than the finding in some of the recent studies in the country.

Prevalence of hepatitis D virus among HBsAg-positive individuals, 2015-2016: Azar cohort study.

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA pathogen that requires the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for infection. Middle East countries are endemic areas for HDV infection. So, it is important to estimate the prevalence of HDV in these countries. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of HDV in HBsAg positive patients participated in Azar cohort study, North-west of Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, out of 4949 participants of the Azar cohort study, 51 HBsAg positive patients were selected. Five participants did not consent to HDV testing. The presence of anti-HDV IgG was checked in 46 patients (13 chronic hepatitis B and 33 inactive chronic hepatitis B) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The serum level of liver enzymes was measured and a questionnaire about risk factors was completed. Results: In this study, the mean age of HBsAg positive patients was 50.06 (SD 9.14) years and 41.3% were female. Only one out of 46 patients was positive for HDV infection. Thus, the prevalence of HDV infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients was 2.17% (95% CI: 0.1-11.5). The positive anti-HDV patient was in the inactive chronic hepatitis B state and she had a history of hospitalization and dental procedures. Conclusion: The results showed that the prevalence of HDV infection in HBsAg positive patients was 2.1% that was lower than the reported prevalence in many other regions of Iran. Health policymakers and healthcare providers should design coherent and orderly epidemiological studies for planning and monitoring HDV infection.

Hepatitis D in Patients Infected with Hepatitis B Virus in Cotonou: Characteristics and Risk Factors

Introduction: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a satellite virus of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The purpose of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics of HBV/HDV co-infection and the factors associated with this co-infection in Cotonou. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive study with prospective data collection. It took place from June to October 2016 at CNHU/HKM and the Atinkanmey Polyclinic in Cotonou. Subjects over 15 years of age with HBsAg and untreated for hepatitis were included consecutively. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological characteristics were collected for each patient using only a standardized questionnaire. Then, a blood sample was taken for the determination of anti-HDV antibodies as well as the viral load of HBV. Results: A total of 156 subjects were included, predominantly male (sex-ratio = 2), and of median age 36 years. The majority were monogamous married (50%) or single (41.7%), and were from south of Benin (84.6%). Most subjects were asymptomatic (49.4%). The prevalence of total HDV antibodies was 3.9% (6/156). In subjects with total HDV antibodies, the prevalence of HDV IgM was 33.3%. Origin in northern Benin appears to be a risk factor for HDV infection (p = 0.042). Similarly, married subjects were statistically more infected with HDV than unmarried subjects (p = 0.002). Conclusion: The prevalence of HDV infection varies according to the origin of the patients and their marital status.

HDV infection in immigrant populations.

Little data have been published so far on the epidemiological aspects of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in immigrant populations and even poorer is the information on the virological, phylogenetic, and clinical aspects of this infection in these populations. This review article, aimed primarily at physicians caring for immigrants, summarizes the information available on HDV infection and analyzes data on this topic concerning the immigrant populations. The prevalence of HDV infection in HBsAg-positive immigrants varies according to the country of origin. For example, in immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa, this prevalence is higher in those born in Equatorial Guinea (24.4%) than those from other African countries (10.3%). The epidemiological impact of HDV infection linked to migratory flows is a function of the different endemicity between countries of origin and countries in which a new existence has been established. This impact is high when immigrants from areas endemic to HDV infection (eg, Equatorial Guinea) settle in areas of low endemicity (eg, Germany or England, with a prevalence of around 4%), while the impact is lesser or nonexistent if the migratory flows are directed toward countries with intermediate endemicity (eg, Italy and Greece, with a prevalence of around 10%). This impact of immigration on HDV epidemiology can be strong when HDV endemicity is high in the country of origin and low in the host country and slight when immigrants move to high or medium endemic countries.

Hepatitis D virus infections among injecting drug users with and without human immunodeficiency virus infection in Taiwan

In Taiwan, injecting drug use has been the main route of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission since 2005, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) also having similar transmission routes. This has now become an important public health issue. The aim of this study is to explore the conditions of HDV infections between injecting drug users (IDUs) with and without HIV infection in Southern Taiwan. In this study, 87 IDUs were enrolled, including 27 anti-HDV seronegative IDUs and 60 anti-HDV seropositive IDUs, and the results of their liver function tests, CD4 cell counts, and anti-HIV and HIV RNA levels were analyzed. The prevalence of anti-HDV seropositivity among hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive IDUs in this study was 68.9% (60/87). The prevalence rate of anti-HDV seropositive IDUs among anti-HIV seronegative and anti-HIV seropositive cases was 40.0% (12/30) and 84.2% (48/57), respectively. Anti-HIV seropositivity was related to anti-HDV seropositivity (odds ratio = 9.34, 95% confidence interval = 2.67–31.59, p < 0.001). Among IDUs with HIV infection, there was no significant difference in CD4 cell counts and HIV RNA viral load between HBsAg-positive patients with anti-HDV seronegativity and those with anti-HDV seropositivity. In conclusion, the prevalence of HDV infection among IDUs is higher among IDUs with HIV infection. Because anti-HIV seropositivity is significantly related to anti-HDV seropositivity, HDV infection among IDUs is still important. We suggest that for IDUs, HBsAg and anti-HDV should be monitored closely.

Prevalence and clinical significance of hepatitis D virus co‐infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B in Korea

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection can cause severe acute and chronic liver disease in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite the significant decline in the global HDV infection, it remains a major health concern in some countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical features of HDV co-infection in patients with chronic HBV infection in Korea, where HBV infection is endemic. Nine hundred forty patients [median age, 48 (18-94) years; men, 64.5%] infected chronically with HBV were enrolled consecutively. All patients who were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for at least 6 months and were tested for anti-HDV. A portion of the HDV delta antigen was amplified, sequenced, and subjected to molecular and phylogenetic analysis using sera from the patients who were anti-HDV positive. Clinical features and virologic markers were evaluated. Inactive HBsAg carriers, chronic hepatitis B, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma accounted for 29.5%, 44.7%, 17.9%, and 8.0%, respectively. Only three patients were positive for anti-HDV, corresponding to a 0.32% positive rate. All patients who were positive for anti-HDV were inactive HBsAg carriers. HDV RNA could be amplified by PCR from the sera of two patients. Phylogenetic analysis showed that both carried HDV genotype 1. In conclusion, the prevalence of HDV infection is very low (0.32%) in Korea. All HDVs were genotype 1 and detected in inactive HBsAg carriers. Therefore, HDV co-infection may not have a significant clinical impact in Korean patients with chronic HBV infection.

Hepatitis delta in Switzerland: a silent epidemic

The sero-prevalence of co-infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the hepatitis D virus (HDV) is well known in many European countries, starting from 6.8% in Germany to more than 27% in some Turkish areas. To gain a better description of this infection in Switzerland, and to characterise those affected, a questionnaire was sent to all Swiss gastroenterologists, hepatologists and infectologists. A questionnaire was received by 349 physicians which asked them to report on all HBV- and HDV-infected patients seen at their units/offices. A total of 101 HDV-positive patients seen by 78 specialists were analysed. The physicians were in charge of 1'699 patients with chronic hepatitis B, giving a 5.9% prevalence of HDV infection in HBV-positive patients. A predominance of males (75%) from Switzerland (39%), and of African origin (21%) was recorded. Most had been contaminated by intravenous drug use (62%), followed by vertical transmission (15%), sexual contact (13%) or transfusion with blood or blood products (2%). The majority (74%) had a very low (<103 UI/ml) HBV viral load and 75% were HBeAg-negative. A total of 76% percent of those who had a liver biopsy had significant fibrosis (≥F2), and only 21% had received standard therapy (interferon or pegylated interferon-α). Overall, 10% recovered spontaneously (anti-HBs-positive). With a prevalence of 5.9% of hepatitis D in HBsAg-positive patients, Switzerland seems less affected than most other European countries, however, it is possible that this infection is under-diagnosed. Intravenous drug use was the main risk factor. Associated advanced liver disease was also very common.

Prevalence and clinical presentation of HDV infection in Central Europe in relation to country of birth

The epidemiology of Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infection in Europe has changed significantly during the last 2 decades. E.g., a decline of HDV prevalence from 23% to 8% among HBsAg-positive patients has been observed in Italy between 1987 and 1997. However, limited data on the prevalence of HDV infection is available for other European countries and increasing immigration of individuals from HDV endemic areas has rarely been considered.

Correlation of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D virus and human immunodeficiency virus type I infection markers in hepatitis B surface antigen positive haemophiliacs and patients without haemophilia with clinical and histopathological outcome of hepatitis

The hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection plays a major role in severe liver damage caused by hepatitis. To establish the prevalence of HDV infection in haemophilic patients and patients without haemophilia, 87 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were examined for serological evidence of delta hepatitis. In addition HBV, HDV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection markers were compared to clinical and histopathological outcome of hepatitis. Out of 46 haemophiliacs 30 (65%) were anti-HD-seropositive; 10 out of 30 anti-HD-positive patients (33%) had pathological liver function tests compared to 2 out of 16 anti-HD-negative haemophiliacs (13%). The rate of HIV infection did not differ between the HDV infected and the non-HDV infected individuals with haemophilia (17/27 anti-HD-positive patients versus 12/16 anti-HD-negative patients). Two haemophilic anti-HD-positive patients underwent liver biopsy, in both cases hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) was detected in the biopsies. Only 2 out of 41 patients without haemophilia were anti-HD-positive. Both had pathological liver function tests; chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis, respectively, were diagnosed and HDAg was found in the liver biopsies. Out of 39 anti-HD-seronegative patients without haemophilia, 26 (67%) were hepatitis B e antigen positive; in the sera of 20 patients (51%) HBV-DNA was demonstrated, but only 6 patients (15%) had pathological liver function tests. In conclusion a high seroprevalence of HDV infection was found in haemophilic patients treated with non-pasteurized commercial clotting factor concentrates. An endemic spreading of HDV infection in patients without haemophilia with chronic HBV infection could not be detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)