Delta hepatitis virus infection in China

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is prevalent in China.
• Hepatitis D virus (HDV), or delta virus, is a significant cofactor in HBV infection, potentially worsening liver disease prognosis.
• Understanding HDV prevalence is crucial for public health strategies in HBV-endemic regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in Sichuan Province, China.
• To investigate the association between HDV serology and clinical outcomes in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.
• To assess the prognostic implications of HDV co-infection in the study population.

Main Methods:

• A total of 649 serum samples were collected, including 515 from HBsAg-positive patients and 134 from HBsAg-negative individuals.
• Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to detect antibodies to the hepatitis D virus (anti-HD).
• Independent laboratory confirmation was performed for equivocal results, and HBsAg-positive patients were sub-categorized based on clinical, biochemical, and histological data.

Main Results:

• An overall prevalence of 0.8% for anti-HD antibodies was found among HBsAg-positive patients (4 out of 515).
• Of the anti-HD positive sera, 3.1% were from patients with acute Type B hepatitis, 0.9% from chronic Type B hepatitis, and 0.4% from healthy carriers.
• No anti-HD antibodies were detected in HBsAg-positive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or in any HBsAg-negative subjects.

Conclusions:

• Hepatitis D virus infection is uncommon in Sichuan Province, China, despite a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus.
• The study suggests a low rate of HDV co-infection among HBV-infected individuals in this region.
• Further research may be needed to understand the specific factors influencing HDV prevalence in Sichuan.