Seroprevalence of hepatitis D virus in Bulgarian outpatients with history of liver dysfunction.

The aim of this research was to define the prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis D virus (anti-HDV Ab) in a group of 26 outpatients with liver dysfunction in northeastern Bulgaria. Serum samples were obtained from April 2022 to December 2023 in the "Status" Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Varna, Bulgaria. We found seroprevalence of anti-HDV Ab in 15.4% (CI: 4.3-34.8%) of the target population. Age and gender had no significant role in HDV seropositivity.

Epidemiology Pattern, Prevalent Genotype Distribution, Fighting Stigma and Control Options for Hepatitis D in Bulgaria and Other European Countries.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a satellite virus that causes the most aggressive form of all viral hepatitis in individuals already infected with HBV (hepatitis B virus). In recent years, there has been a negative trend towards an increase in the prevalence of chronic hepatitis D in Europe, especially among immigrant populations coming from regions endemic for the virus. The aim of this review is to analyse the current epidemiology of chronic HDV, routes of transmission, prevalent genotype, its management, prevention, fighting stigma and options for viral control in European countries, such as Bulgaria.

Evaluation of Anti-HBs Antibody Immune Response against Hepatitis B virus in Vaccinated People in a North-eastern Bulgaria Region.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most significant human pathogens responsible for a huge number of acute and chronic liver infectious diseases worldwide. AIM: To find the duration of post-vaccination immune response in individuals allocated to five age groups from 6 months to 20 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All tested subjects were born between 1999 and 2018 and therefore covered by the compulsory vaccination program against hepatitis B. For the serological marker anti-HBs Ab we investigated 449 serum samples taken from ambulatory people and patients of St Marina University Hospital in Varna. RESULTS: A positive antibody response (anti-HBs Ab > 10 mIU/ml) was reported in 79.7% (n = 51) of the group of subjects up to one year old, in 70.0% (n = 196) of the subjects in the age range 1 year/1 month to 15 years, and in 39.3% (n = 33) of the subjects 15 years/1 month to 20 years old. Female sex had a better post-vaccination response than male sex with statistically significant relationship between sex and anti-HBs Ab titer (χ2 = 24.76, p <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the mass immunization against HBV in Bulgaria, the relative share of chronic HBV infections does not show a downward trend. Therefore, it is very important to study the duration of the post-vaccination immune response by demonstrating the anti-HBs antibodies and to apply a booster dose from the vaccine if needed.