Hepatitis B and delta viruses in fulminant hepatitis

From June 1985 to 1989, we studied 39 cases with fulminant viral hepatitis. These included 32 cases due to hepatitis B, of whom 27 died. Twenty of the 32 cases were positive for delta antibody, and all of them died. Four cases who died were negative for IgM anti-HAV, HBsAg and IgM anti-HBc and were classified as NANB. Thus, a total of 31 patients died. Hepatitis B and delta virus infection were the major risk factors for fulminant hepatitis and eventual death.