Background:Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is dependent on the hepatitis B virus for transmission and propagation. Based on isolated HDV sequences from different parts of the world, at least three major different genotypes with different geographic distributions are suggested. Studies have shown that genotype 1 is the predominant genotype of HDV in different parts of Iran; however, the genotype distribution of this virus has not been identified in Mashhad, northeast Iran.Objectives:This current study determines the frequency of HDV major genotypes in Mashhad, Iran.Patients and Methods:Twenty-five participants were enrolled in this study. All samples were positive for HBsAg (determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)) and anti-HDV. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis was performed. Then, PCR was performed and HDV genotypes were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).Results:Of 25 patients, 12 (48%) were positive for HDV RNA. Genotype analysis of HDV RNA revealed that the prevalence of HDV genotypes I and II was 83.3% (n = 10) and 16.7% (n = 2), respectively.Conclusions:This study showed that the most prevalent genotype of HDV in Mashhad was genotype I. It was of interest that in contrast to other provinces of Iran, HDV genotype 2 was observed in Mashhad. Similar studies with larger sample sizes could provide valuable information regarding the molecular epidemiology and geographical distribution. It may also help control and prevent the spread of hepatitis D virus infections. In addition, the genotyping of HDV may predict the severity of the disease.

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About 6 percent (2%-7%) of the world’s population is chronically infected by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The role of fibroscan for fibrosis assessment in HBV patients has not been widely studied. The present study was designed for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis by fibroscan in HBV positive patients. This is a cross-sectional study with two groups of case and control. According to the physical examination, lab data, abdominal ultrasound, and hepatitis viral load, the case group was categorized into three subgroups: inactive carrier, chronic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. The Control group was selected from a healthy population of 145 HBV patients, and 370 healthy persons entered the study. The case group included 35 inactive carriers, 63 chronic hepatitis B, and 47 cirrhotic patients, and their mean amount of fibrosis (measured by fibroscan) was 6.169 kpa, 7.758 kpa, and 24.0255 kpa, respectively. Also, the mean amount of fibrosis was 5.5510 (SD=2.43) in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference between cirrhotic patients and other groups (P<0.001). Also, a strong association between viral load and fibrosis degree was observed in chronic hepatitis B patients (P<0.001, R2=0.7811). Fibroscan is a novel instrument for the estimation of the liver fibrotic stage in HBV cirrhotic patients.

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