Seroprevalence of antibody to HDV in Nigerians with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases.

OBJECTIVE Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) infection has been reported to be declining in some geographical areas. In order to ascertain the current status of HDV infection in Nigeria, a study of patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases was undertaken to determine the sero-prevalence ofanti-HDV. METHOD This was a prospective, cross-sectional study in which all consecutive patients with liver disease who tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were also tested for antibody to HDV. RESULT Ninety six patients with various forms of HBV-related liver diseases participated in the study (acute hepatitis 8.3%, asymptomatic infection 15.6%, chronic hepatitis 3.1%, liver cirrhosis 21.9% and primary liver cell carcinoma 51.0%). Anti-HDV was demonstrated in 12 patients (12.5%). In patients with acute hepatitis and asymptomatic infection the prevalence was 4.3% while in patients with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and primary liver cell carcinoma, the prevalence was 15%. CONCLUSION HDV still contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in HBV-related liver diseases in Nigeria. There is urgent need for larger studies on a national scale to accurately appraise the public health importance of this infection.