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[Follow-up study of delta agent infection in children with chronic hepatitis B]
M Ruiz Moreno1, T Camps Rubiol, V Carreño García
1Servicio de Pediatría, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid.
Insights
Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection was found in 13% of children with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. No association was observed between HDV and HBV replication or liver disease severity.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Virology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global health concern, particularly in children.
- Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is a unique RNA virus that requires HBV for its replication and can exacerbate liver disease.
- Understanding the prevalence and impact of HDV in pediatric HBV populations is crucial for disease management.
Purpose:
- To determine the incidence of HDV infection among children with chronic HBV.
- To evaluate the association between anti-HD antibodies and HBV replication levels.
- To assess the correlation between anti-HD and liver histology in pediatric patients.
Summary:
- A study involving 68 children with chronic HBV, 29 relatives, and control groups found anti-HD antibodies in 13% of the children with chronic HBV, but HDV antigen was negative.
- Anti-HD antibodies were detected in 25% of relatives of children with anti-HD, with universal HBV markers in these families.
- No significant association was found between anti-HD and sex, symptoms, hepatic histology, or HBV replication levels in the studied pediatric population.
Impact:
- This study provides insights into the prevalence of HDV co-infection in children with chronic HBV in the studied cohort.
- Findings suggest that HDV infection in this pediatric group may not be strongly associated with more severe liver disease or high HBV replication.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the long-term implications of low-titer anti-HD positivity in children with chronic HBV.
Abstract:
We studied the frequency of HDV infection in children, in order to determine its incidence and to evaluate the possible association between the anti-HD and the replication level of HBV of the hepatic histology. A total of 68 children with chronic hepatitis B. 29 relatives of children with anti-HD. 25 children without HBV markers nor hepatic pathology and 10 asymptomatic HBsAg carriers were studied. Anti-HD appeared in 13% of children with chronic HBV infection, at low titers. AgHD was negative in serum and liver in all of these patients. Anti-HD was also positive in 25% of the relatives of children with anti-HD was also positive in 25% of the relatives of children with anti-HD, whereas in 100% of the families there was at least one member with HBV markers. Delta infection did not appear in any of the other children studied. We have not found association between the anti-HD and sex symptoms or hepatic histology. Also, there was not relation between HDB infection and the HBV replication level.