[Study of HDV infection in Shandong province]

To understand the situation of HDV infection in Shandong province and to explore the relationship between HDV and HBV infections, 2681 samples infected with HBV were tested for serum anti-HDV with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, in Shandong. Among them, 207 (7.72%) were found to be anti-HDV positive. Anti-HDV positive rates in HBsAg carriers and in hepatitis B patients were 3.16% and 13.15%, respectively. A significant difference (P < 0.001) was noticed between the two groups. In the second group, anti-HDV positive rates in patients with chronic active hepatitis and severe hepatitis were both higher than those in patients with acute hepatitis and chronic persistent hepatitis and the difference was significant (P < 0.001). The longer the history and the more severe the condition the higher of the anti-HDV positive rate was seen. The results indicated that the combined and over-lapping HDV infections were both responsible for the chronic status of hepatitis B and its deterioration.