Chronic delta hepatitis in haemophiliacs

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Epidemiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection is a significant global health concern.
• Hemophiliacs are a population at risk for viral hepatitis due to blood product exposure.
• Understanding the seroepidemiological profile of HBV and HDV in this cohort is crucial for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the seroepidemiological profile of HBV and HDV infections in male hemophiliacs.
• To determine the prevalence of HDV infection in relation to HBV markers.
• To assess the necessity of circulating Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) for chronic HDV infection.

Main Methods:

• Sera from 640 male hemophiliacs were analyzed for HBV and HDV serological markers.
• Detection of antibodies to HDV (anti-HDV-IgG and anti-HDV-IgM) and HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs).
• Correlation analysis between HDV infection status and different HBV infection profiles.

Main Results:

• HDV infection (anti-HDV-IgG positive) was detected in 27 of 44 HBsAg carriers, with 22 also positive for anti-HDV-IgM.
• A lower prevalence of HDV was observed in patients with anti-HBc without HBsAg or anti-HBs (6/41).
• Chronic HDV infection occurred more frequently in quiescent than active chronic HBV infections; anti-HDV-IgM was detected without circulating HBsAg in some cases.

Conclusions:

• HDV infection is common among HBV-infected male hemophiliacs.
• Circulating HBsAg is not an absolute prerequisite for chronic HDV infection.
• Anti-HDV-IgG may wane after HDV infection resolution, and anti-HDV-IgM is not detected without anti-HDV-IgG.