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Chronic hepatitis D: a vanishing Disease? An Italian multicenter study
G B Gaeta1, T Stroffolini, M Chiaramonte
1Istituto di Malattie Infettive, Seconda Università, Napoli, Italy. giovannib.gaeta@unina2.it
Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|September 26, 2000
Summary
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection prevalence significantly declined in Italy by 1997, particularly among younger individuals, indicating progress toward controlling this liver disease. This study assessed HDV infection in 834 Italian hepatitis B carriers.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) historically caused significant acute and chronic liver disease in Southern Europe.
- Previous data suggested a decline in HDV circulation by the 1990s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and clinical impact of HDV infection in Italian hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers in 1997.
- To evaluate risk factors associated with anti-HDV positivity.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 834 chronic HBsAg carriers across 14 Italian liver units.
- Detection of anti-HDV antibodies and analysis of risk factors for positivity.
Main Results:
- Anti-HDV antibodies were found in 8.3% of HBsAg-positive patients, a decrease from 23% in 1987 and 14% in 1992.
- Factors associated with anti-HDV positivity included cohabitation, intravenous drug use, southern residence, and cirrhosis.
- Prevalence sharply decreased in the 30-50 age group, with the highest prevalence (11.7%) in cirrhotic patients.
Conclusions:
- HDV circulation in Italy decreased by 1.5% annually from 1987 to 1997, mainly due to reduced chronic infections in younger populations.
- The findings suggest near-complete control of HDV infection is anticipated in the near future.
- Targeted interventions may be needed for specific risk groups, such as those with cirrhosis.