Seroprevalence of Hepatitis D Virus in Patients with Hepatitis B Virus-Related Liver Diseases

Purpose: Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infects patients that are already infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV). There is lack of data on the impact of Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in central Assam. This study was aimed at determining the seroprevalence of Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) in central Assam and does studies on HDV among Hepatitis B patients.

Methods: This study was carried out at a tertiary hospital. Out of 89 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients 44 were cases of acute viral hepatitis (AVH), 12 were fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), 19 were chronic hepatitis (CH), 12 were cirrhosis and 2 cases were hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC).

Results: Among 89 HBsAg positive patients 1 patient had showed positive for anti-HDV ELISA. Low prevalence rate was found in a middle aged business man. HBV and HDV infections together cause more severe liver damage.

Conclusion: Although many scholars have studied various aspects of Hepatitis delta virus infection including seroprevalence in India with different types of hepatitis related liver diseases, this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of HDV infection patient with HBsAg carriers attending in Gauhati medical college and hospital "between" July 2006 to June 2007 A.D.The HDV infection is not uncommon.