Serological detection of hepatitis B and D virus co-infection among patients attending a tertiary health facility at Maiduguri, Nigeria

Abstract

Background Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is highly pathogenic, and clinical studies revealed that HDV infection aggravates the natural history of the underlying hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by progression to cirrhosis that leads to early decompensation of liver function compared with HBV mono-infection. To determine the seroprevalence of HDV among HBsAg-seropositive patients and associated biochemical profiles at Maiduguri, Nigeria, a hospital-based cross-sectional study on 180 sera of patients positive for HBsAg by ELISA were evaluated for anti-HDV, hepatitis B envelop antigen, anti-HBs antibodies and liver enzyme profiles. Results HDV seroprevalence of 3.3% among 180 HBsAg-positive patients. Relatively higher seroprevalence of HDV was observed in males (4.3%) than in females (2.3%). The highest infection rate (20%) was obtained in patients ≥ 56 years. However, no significant association between positive anti-HDV seroprevalence and gender (p > 0.05). Of the 6 (3.3%) anti-HDV-positive patients, only 1 (16.7%) was positive for HBeAg while all were negative for anti-HBs antibodies. The mean level of liver enzyme level of AST and ALT of the anti-HDV-positive patients significantly differ from that of HBsAg mono-infected patients (p ˂ 0.05). However, no significant difference (p < 0.05) between the mean levels of liver enzymes of ALP in anti-HDV-positive and HBsAg mono-infected patients (p ˃ 0.05) was found. Conclusion This study revealed a relatively low presence of HDV in HBsAg-positive patients. Furthermore, HDV-HBV co-infected patients had somewhat worse liver enzyme upregulation. This underscores the need for rapid HDV testing and treatment in HBV-infected patients.

High prevalence of hepatitis delta virus among people with hepatitis B virus and HIV coinfection in Botswana

“…These findings are similar to what was reported by a previous study which also reported higher HDV prevalence among female liver disease patients in Botswana, but without statistical significance [15] . These two findings suggest that gender might not be a risk factor for HDV infection, which is contradictory to other studies which have reported higher HDV prevalence in males [25] , [26] , [27] . The exact reason(s) for the reported high HDV prevalence in either gender are yet to be elucidated.…”

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection in pregnant women from Osun State, Nigeria

“…In Nigeria, the prevalence of HBV/HIV coinfection varies across different regions [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. While several studies have investigated the burden of HBV/HIV co-infection in other populations, there is a significant knowledge gap concerning pregnant women.…”

Prevalence of hepatitis b and hepatitis d co-infection in blood donors and hospital patients in east district of Sikkim

“…2,3 Although, the exact prevalence of HDV infection cannot be predicted due to absence of standard screening procedures and inaccessibility in some resources limited countries but in a recent analysis, 13% to 14% which corresponds to 62 to 72 million people were found to be infected with HDV worldwide. 4 According to World Health Organisation (WHO) 5% of HBsAg carriers worldwide are infected with HDV. 5 HDV is a single stranded defective RNA virus which needs Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for completion of its replication cycle inside the host cells.…”

“…Though HDV is considered to be imperfect and requires HBV to be human pathogen, HDV is considered to be most severe and rapidly progressive form of chronic hepatitis. 4 Infection with HDV and HBV viruses can occur in two ways: it can happen simultaneously, co-Background: Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is a small RNA virus responsible for causing both acute and chronic liver disease in persons infected with Hepatitis B. Chronic HDV infection worsens the preexisting HBV-related liver damage.…”

“…Anti-delta antibodies appear in the serum during infection and can be detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). 4 Different studies have shown that the geographic distribution of HDV infection is heterogenous and that comprehensive surveys in HBV infected patients should be conducted to determine the risk factors and prevalence of infection. 6…”