[Delta co-infection: prevalence, severity and association with risk factors]

The prevalence of delta coinfection in course of acute B hepatitis has been studied in two periods (September-November 1984: 51 cases; April-June 1985: 50 cases). The prevalence resulted of 37.2% in the first period and of 48% in the second, without a statistically significant increase. Delta coinfection did not show greater severity, as evaluated by the levels of AST, ALT, total bilirubin and prothrombin activity, than hepatitis B not coinfected. The only factor of risk statistically significant for the acquisition of delta coinfection was i.v. drug abuse.