Seroepidemiology of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), in a Group of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Positive in Tabriz

Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), is a defective single strand RNA virus that requires the provision of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for its replication and expression. According to prevalence of HBV infection in this area, this study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of HDV among hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg - positive individuals.

In this prospective study from March 2007 to March 2008, 368 HBsAg- positive samples in five high risk groups; 100 Hemodialysis subjects, 165 blood donors, 90 intravenous drug addicts, 11hemophilic and 2 thalassemia patients from Tabriz Regional Educational Blood Centre in East Azerbaijan province of Iran were enrolled. All cases were evaluated for the presence of anti-HDV antibodies using commercially available ELISA method. ALT and AST levels also measured with IFCC method.

Anti-HDV antibody was positive in 8 of 100 hemodialysis subjects (8%), 3 of 165 blood donors (1.8%), 9 of 90 intravenous drug addicts (10%), 2 of 11 hemophilic patients, but anti-HDV antibody was negative in 2 thalassemia sera.

Considering to the results of this study, the highest rate of HBsAg positive were found in high risk group (intravenous drug addicts and Hemodialysis) and there were no significant relation between age and sex in patient group (P > 0.05). Tabriz city is located in endemic area of Hepatitis D virus infections, so more study in different high risk group infections with effective factors and parameters is completely essential.