Study of hepatitis D in high risk population of hepatitis B

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis delta is a defective RNA virus which depends upon HBV for expression and replication. It may coinfect with HBV or super-infect an HBV infected individual. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of antidelta in patients of hepatitis in blood bank donors in Karachi. Sera from 329 patients of hepatitis and healthy volunteers were tested for HBsAg by ELISA technique. Forty-two cases were processed further for delta antibody. HDV infection was detected in eight of the 22 patients [36.8%] of hepatitis and two [10%] of the 20 healthy carriers of HBV. The presence of HDV among our population emphasizes HBV and HDV screening prior to surgical and endoscopic procedures as well as before transfusion of blood and blood products.The use of disposable syringes in general practice should be made mandatory.There is a need to educate people for vaccination against HBV