Frequency and pattern of HDV infection in Shaikh Zayed hospital, Lahore

Hepatitis Delta virus [HDV] is a hepatotropic virus. It infects only in the presence of hepatitis B virus [HBV]. The incidence of HBV is high in Pakistan. The infection of delta virus, therefore, goes hand in hand with HBV infection. HDV co-infects the HBV or superinfects a carrier of HBsAg. Superinfection of HDV is generally more common and severe. Sera of 150 HBsAg positive patients were tested for anti-HD. Twenty five [16.66%] were found positive. Sera of these 25 patients, were further tested for HBc-IgM antibodies, six were found positive, indicating 24% of co-infection and 76% superinfection of Delta virus