Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis D virus antibody among asymptomatic carriers of Hepatitis B virus: a community survey

Okonkwo, Uchenna; Okpara, Henry Chima; Inaku, Kenneth; Aluka, Tony M; Chukwudike, Evaristus S.; Ogarekpe, Yeonun Mba; Emin, Emin J; Hodo, Osim; Otu, Akaninyene

doi:10.4314/ahs.v22i1.59

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(32 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Moreover there is not also any research documentation to this effect among blood donors in Port Harcourt. This seems to justify the claim of Uchenna et al, (2022), that though thought to exceed the global prevalence of 5% base on studies done in some regions of the country, the prevalence of HDV infection in Nigeria is not known [17,18]. Hence, this could be a novel research in the region of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.…”

Section: Justificationmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In the pathogenesis of HDV infection, two expressions are noted: (i) Expression of a trace of the delta antigen by the infected liver cell is thought to be the cause of the direct cytoplasmic effect of the HDV, while (ii) the expression of considerable delta antigen, which is also said to confer no cytotoxic effect, is thought to be responsible for the HDV chronicity and undermined hepatocellular immunity, thus making it vulnerable to immune mediated damages [14]. Amount of HBsAg in circulation basically serve as key to assess duration of therapy, such HDV markers as IgM and IgG are scarcely found soon after therapy.…”

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Important markers such as HBsAg and anti-HBV core antibodies (anti-HBc-IgM) are useful, in that, (i) negative HBsAg rule out the presence of acute HBV infection (ii) positive HBsAg shows an indication of HBV infection and (iii) anti HBc are often used when HBsAg are negative, hence a marker mostly used to monitor early HBV convalescence. Positive anti-HBc is therefore an indication for either current or resolved HBV infection, while negative anti-HBc is an indication for total absence of current HBV infection [14]. Therefore, anti-HBc-IgM which shows positive for HBV infection is not often necessary for the diagnosis of active HBV-infection, since chronic HBV-carrier shows positive anti-HBc-IgM for years following convalescence [14,16].…”

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Positive anti-HBc is therefore an indication for either current or resolved HBV infection, while negative anti-HBc is an indication for total absence of current HBV infection [14]. Therefore, anti-HBc-IgM which shows positive for HBV infection is not often necessary for the diagnosis of active HBV-infection, since chronic HBV-carrier shows positive anti-HBc-IgM for years following convalescence [14,16]. In the diagnosis to monitor ongoing HDV-infection, the use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a better approach.…”

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the diagnosis to monitor ongoing HDV-infection, the use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a better approach. This is because RT-PCR is capable of detecting and identifying up to 10 to 100 copies of the HDV genome in any HDV infected serum [14].…”

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Hepatitis B Positive Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Nwika,

Awortu,

Mgbeoma

2023

IBRR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: The Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria is a maiden epidemiological study of Hepatitis D or delta hepatitis among the donors’ population in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Hepatitis D (Hepatitis Delta) is a disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It is considered to be a sub viral satellite because it can propagate only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. The prevalence of HDV in Port Harcourt has not been reported; hence this study, bridge that knowledge gap. Methods: Using a qualitative cross sectional study design, a general serological screening test was performed on a total of 300 blood donors recruited; 222(74.00%) males and 78 (26.00%) females, all within 20-59years. Of this number, 86(28.70%) were positive for HBV while 214(71.30%) Hepatitis B negative served as control. Samples collected were analysed at blood bank unit of the Haematology Department of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt (RSUTH). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and anti-hepatitis D antibodies (anti-HDV) for the presence of HBV and HDV infections were detected by one step Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of HDV as described by the www.elabScience.com (16). Results: Of the 300 subjects, 86(28.6%) were positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Of these HBV positive subject, 9(10.4%) were positive for Hepatitis D virus (HDV). Age and gender of the study participants were not found to be risk factors for its prevalence (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the PCV of those infected when compared with the non infected group. Using Pearson correlation analysis, HDV was not found to associate significantly with PCV (r = 0.2849, p > 0.05). This study recorded HDV prevalence rate of 10.4% among the HBsAg positive blood donors. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: There is a 10.4% prevalence of HDV among the HBsAg positive blood donors. To increase the safety level of blood products, the screening process should therefore be extended to the HDV.

show abstract

Section: Justificationmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introduction 11 Background Of the Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Hepatitis B Positive Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Nwika,

Awortu,

Mgbeoma

2023

IBRR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

The Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis Delta Virus in Nigeria: The Results of a Nationwide Study

Ifeorah,

Gerber,

Dziri

et al. 2024

Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a satellite of hepatitis B virus (HBV), which requires the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) for its assembly and propagation. Although countries affected by HBV infection in Africa are well identified, data on HDV infection are still scarce, like in Nigeria, where HBV infection is endemic. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of HDV infection and identify the circulating genotypes/strains in the country. A nationwide study was performed on 1281 HBsAg-positive samples collected from patients across eleven sites drawn from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Anti-HDV antibody (HDV-Ab) screening and HDV-RNA viral load quantification were performed using a commercial ELISA assay and real-time RT-PCR kit, respectively. HDV genotyping was performed by the Sanger sequencing of amplicons from the so-called R0 region of the viral genome, followed by phylogenetic analyses. Of the 1281 HBsAg-positive samples, 61 (4.8%) were HDV-Ab positive, among which, 12 (19.7%) were HDV-RNA positive. Genotypes were obtained for nine of them: seven “African” HDV-1, one “Asian/European” HDV-1 and one HDV-6. This study shows that Nigeria is a country of low HDV prevalence where mainly “African” genotype-1 strains are circulating.

show abstract

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Profiles of Hepatitis D Virus in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 2009–2024

Adepoju,

Udah,

Adnani

2024

Viruses

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends hepatitis D virus (HDV) screening among hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected individuals, with a focus on priority populations in resource-limited settings like Nigeria. HDV infection is a growing public health challenge, particularly among individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. HDV accelerates liver disease progression and significantly increases the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite this, the epidemiology of HDV in Nigeria remains inadequately documented. This scoping review critically evaluates the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HDV co-infection among HBV patients in Nigeria. Method: We conducted a systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The review included observational cross-sectional studies published between 2009 and 2024. We focused on studies that used Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody testing or RNA-based diagnostics to assess HDV prevalence. We included PubMed, Google Scholar, and Dimensions databases due to their broad indexing and coverage of peer-reviewed articles and accessibility. We screened the studies for their relevance to HDV prevalence, risk factors, and clinical outcomes, while excluding those that only tested for IgM or HDV antigen. Eleven studies, with a combined sample size of 2308 participants, were included in the final analysis. We performed a narrative synthesis of the findings, considering geographic, gender, and age-based variations in HDV prevalence and clinical impact. Results: HDV prevalence among HBV-infected individuals in Nigeria ranged from 2.0% to 31.6%. The highest prevalence was reported in the Southwest (31.6%) among malaria patients, while lower rates were observed in the Southeast (2.8%). Prevalence was higher in males, particularly those aged 21–30 years in the Southwest and 31–40 years in other regions. RNA-based testing provided more accurate data on active viremia, with viremic HDV prevalence rates ranging from 3.2% to 16%. Triple infection with HIV/HBV/HDV was associated with significantly lower CD4+ cell counts and worse clinical outcomes, including elevated liver enzymes and rapid progression to liver cancer. Key risk factors for HDV co-infection included multiple sexual partners, sharing of needles, and unsafe medical practices. Co-infected patients demonstrated worse clinical outcomes, such as elevated liver enzymes, decompensated cirrhosis, and higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Our review underscores the urgent need for routine HDV screening among HBV patients in Nigeria, especially given the severe clinical consequences of co-infection. The recent WHO guidelines recommending HDV screening align with our findings, which emphasize the importance of RNA-based HDV testing among HBV-positive patients to improve diagnostic accuracy. Public health efforts should prioritize tailored interventions based on geographic, age, and gender disparities in HDV prevalence. Triple infection with HIV/HBV/HDV requires integrated care models to address both immune suppressions as indicated by diminished CD4 cell count and liver disease progression, as these patients face worse outcomes. Targeted HDV screening in mostly affected demographics and geographies and improved Nigeria capacity for cheaper HDV RNA/PCR diagnostics can reduce liver-related morbidity and mortality caused by HBV, which can be worsened and accelerated by HDV coinfection.

show abstract

Prevalence and risk factors of Hepatitis D virus antibody among asymptomatic carriers of Hepatitis B virus: a community survey

Cited by 3 publications

References 22 publications

Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Hepatitis B Positive Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Hepatitis B Positive Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The Prevalence and Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis Delta Virus in Nigeria: The Results of a Nationwide Study

Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Profiles of Hepatitis D Virus in Nigeria: A Systematic Review, 2009–2024

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About