Seroprevalence of anti-hepatitis D antibodies in hepatitis B virus infected patients in Benghazi, Libya

Hepatitis D virus [HDV] infection is considered to be high in the Mediterranean basin. Data regarding this infection in Libyan population are scarce. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HDV antibodies in hepatitis B virus [HBV] infected patients in Benghazi. The study population comprised one hundred thirty-eight patients with chronic HBV infection who were attending the liver clinic, Aljamahiriya Teaching Hospital, Benghazi. The diagnosis of HBV infection in those patients was based on repeatedly positive HBsAg in the serum with other laboratory and / or radiologic features of liver disease. All patients were tested for the presence of Anti-HDV IgM antibodies and Anti-HDV IgG antibodies using ELISA techniques. At the same time the level of HBV-DNA was measured using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] techniques for both Anti-HDV antibodies positive and negative patients. Fifteen patients were positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies [10.8%] and none was positive for Anti-HDV IgM antibodies [0%]. The HBV-DNA levels were higher in HBV patients with Anti-HDV antibodies than in patients positive for Anti:HDV Anti- HDV antibodies [P=0.01]. HDV infection does not appear to be commonly prevalent in Libyan patients with HBV. In comparison to data from previous results from Mediterranean area, the seroprevalence of HDV in Libyan patients who were attending the liver clinic, Benghazi is considered to be intermediate