Epidemiology and clinical pattern of hepatitis delta virus infection in Pakistan

• Published in: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology 2005-10, Vol.20 (10), p.1503-1507
• Main Authors: MUMTAZ, KHALID, HAMID, SAEED S, ADIL, SALMAN, AFAQ, ASIM, ISLAM, M, ABID, SHAHAB, SHAH, HASNAIN A, JAFRI, WASIM
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - epidemiology; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular - virology; Female; Hepatitis Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis B - complications; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B - physiopathology; Hepatitis D - complications; Hepatitis D - epidemiology; Hepatitis D - physiopathology; Hepatitis D - virology; hepatitis delta virus; Hepatitis Delta Virus - immunology; hepatitis B virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Incidence; Infectious diseases; Liver Neoplasms - epidemiology; Liver Neoplasms - virology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pakistan; Pakistan - epidemiology; Prevalence; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis
• ISSN: 0815-9319; 1440-1746
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2005.03857.x

Background and Aims:  The global epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is changing. This study was performed to determine the epidemiology and clinical impact of hepatitis delta in Pakistan. Methods:  Countrywide data was collected from 1994 to 2001. A total of 8721 patients were tested for hepatitis delta antibody. A subset of 97 hepatitis delta antibody reactive inpatients with chronic liver disease were compared to 97 patients admitted with liver disease due to hepatitis B alone. Results:  Of the 8721 patients tested, 1444 (16.6%) were reactive for hepatitis delta antibody. Most were males (87.4%, P