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Hepatitis B and Delta virus infection among heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexual men
1Laboratorio di Epidemiologia e Biostatistica, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infections were studied in patients at a STD clinic. Sexual behavior appears to influence HBV spread, and data suggest sexual transmission of HDV infection.
Area of Science:
- * Hepatology and Virology
- * Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases
- * Sexual Health and Public Health
Background:
- * Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) are significant global health concerns.
- * Understanding transmission routes is crucial for effective prevention and control strategies.
- * Previous studies have indicated various transmission pathways for HBV and HDV.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To estimate the prevalence of HBV and HDV infections in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic.
- * To investigate the association between infection rates, sexual behavior, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- * To explore the potential role of sexual transmission in the spread of HDV infection.
Main Methods:
- * Cross-sectional study involving 759 heterosexual individuals and 154 homosexual/bisexual men.
- * Serological testing for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to HDV (anti-HDV).
- * Analysis of associations between serological markers, demographic data, and history of STDs, including herpes simplex type 2.
Main Results:
- * Higher anti-HBc prevalence in homosexual/bisexual men (68.8%) compared to heterosexuals (41.8%).
- * Similar HBsAg prevalence (approx. 6%) in both groups.
- * Positive association between anti-HBc and current/past STDs in homosexual/bisexual men, and with herpes simplex type 2 in both groups.
- * Ten out of 46 HBsAg-positive subjects were anti-HDV positive, with all HDV-positive individuals having a history of STDs.
Conclusions:
- * Sexual behavior plays a role in the spread of HBV infection among heterosexual individuals.
- * The findings strongly suggest sexual transmission as a route for HDV infection.
- * STDs are significantly associated with HDV infection, highlighting the importance of integrated sexual health services.
Abstract:
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection rates were estimated in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic: 759 heterosexuals and 154 homosexual-bisexual men. The anti-HBc prevalence was higher in homo-bisexual men (68.8 per 100) than in heterosexuals (41.8 per 100), whereas HBsAg was roughly the same in the two groups (about 6 per 100). The anti-HBc prevalence rate among heterosexuals was higher than that estimated in hospital personnel from the same geographical area. A positive association between anti-HBc prevalence and present or past sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was found among homo-bisexual men. Anti-HBc was also positively associated with herpes simplex type 2 antibodies in both heterosexuals and homo-bisexual men. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that sexual behavior also plays a role in the spread of infection among heterosexuals. Ten of the 46 HBsAg-positive subjects were anti-HDV positive: 6 of the 36 heterosexuals and 4 of the 10 homosexuals. All HDV-positive subjects had present or past STDs. These findings suggest sexual transmission of HDV infection.