Hepatitis delta virus infection in Nepal

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is a significant cause of severe liver disease.
• HDV co-infection or superinfection exacerbates Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) pathogenesis.
• Epidemiological data on HDV prevalence in Nepal is scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection in Nepal.
• To assess the serological evidence of HDV in individuals with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection.
• To explore potential HDV presence in patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Main Methods:

• Serological testing for anti-HDV antibodies was performed.
• Participants included 110 HBsAg-seropositive individuals with various HBV infection profiles.
• Additional testing included HBsAg-negative patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with serological evidence of past HBV and HCV infection.

Main Results:

• Anti-HDV antibodies were not detected in any of the 110 HBsAg-seropositive individuals.
• One patient, negative for HBsAg but positive for past HBV and HCV infection, showed detectable anti-HDV antibodies.
• This patient also had a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection appears to be very rare among HBsAg-seropositive individuals in Nepal.
• The study identified a potential case of HDV infection in an HBsAg-negative patient with advanced liver disease and prior HBV/HCV exposure.
• Further research is warranted to understand the epidemiology and clinical significance of HDV in Nepal, particularly in HBsAg-negative populations.