Seroepidemiology And Co- Infections of Hepatitis D Virus Infection In The North- East of Iran

HBV infection is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis in Iran. HDV prevalence in chronic carriers of HBV has not been studied in the north-east of Iran. This study evaluated the prevalence, risk factors and co-infections of HDV with HCV.This cross-sectional study was carried out From Sep_ Oct 2004 to Sep_ Oct 2005. The patients divided into two groups, inactive chronic carrier and chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis and/or liver cirrhosis). Our study included 350 chronic HBV carriers in whom we assessed HDV Ab by ELISA method, then HDV Ab positive patients were assessed for risk factors and Co-infections with HCV. Later risk factors and co-infections were compared in HDV positive and HDV negative patients. Analysis of serum markers indicated that 10% (35/350) of patients had evidence of HDV infection; Anti-HDV was found in 4.5% (7/153) of patients with inactive carriers, and in 14.2% (28/197) of patients with chronic liver disease (chronic hepatitis and/or cirrhosis). Main risk factors of HDV positive and HDV negative infections included positive family history, blood transfusion, which were almost equal in two groups (p> 0.5). One out of thirty five (2.8%) of HDV positive patients showed triple infection of HBV/HDV/HCV. Also, 2.8% (1/35) of HDV negative patients showed dual infection of HBV/HCV The present study shows that HDV infection is prevalent in the north-east of Iran, particularly in chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, and it should be studied in them. Routine assessment of HCV in these patients is not recommended, unless risk factors exist.