Frequency of hepatitis D virus with different hepatitis B virus serological markers and coinfections in hospital patients from Argentina: synchronous testing of anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA

• Published in: European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology Vol. 37; no. 1; p. 70
• Main Authors: Giorgio, Marianela, Ramírez Ladino, Kelly Alejandra, López, Guido, Sosa Rojas, Maricel, Outon, Estela, Delfino, Cecilia María
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2025
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Argentina - epidemiology; Biomarkers - blood; Coinfection; Female; Genotype; Hepatitis Antibodies - blood; Hepatitis B - blood; Hepatitis B - diagnosis; Hepatitis B - epidemiology; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens - blood; Hepatitis B virus - genetics; Hepatitis B virus - immunology; Hepatitis C - blood; Hepatitis C - diagnosis; Hepatitis C - epidemiology; Hepatitis D - blood; Hepatitis D - diagnosis; Hepatitis D - epidemiology; Hepatitis D - immunology; Hepatitis Delta Virus - genetics; Hepatitis Delta Virus - immunology; HIV Infections - blood; HIV Infections - diagnosis; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; RNA, Viral - blood; Young Adult; Argentina
• ISSN: 1473-5687
• DOI: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000002857

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) RNA-positive cases with total anti-HDV antibodies nonreactive were documented. Moreover, HDV infection was observed in subjects with occult hepatitis B virus infection. The prevalence of HDV infection in Argentina is low; however, further research in different populations is needed. This study aimed to perform synchronous HDV detection in reactive hepatitis B virus patients treated in a public hospital in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, some of whom were coinfected with hepatitis C virus and/or HIV. A total of 189 hepatitis B virus-reactive serum samples with or without hepatitis C virus and/or HIV coinfection were synchronously analyzed for anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA. HDV prevalence was 4.2% with HDV RNA found in 61 samples, most of which were nonreactive to anti-HDV antibodies and hepatitis B surface antigen. Genotype 1 was identified in all HDV sequences. Moreover, triple and quadruple infections were observed, showing a high frequency of HDV infection in hospitalized patients not following the recommended diagnostic algorithm. This study is evidence that the synchronous testing of anti-HDV antibodies and HDV RNA is necessary for the diagnosis of HDV infection in Argentina. Finally, further research is necessary to identify high-risk populations and improve prevention and control strategies for triple and quadruple infections and their potential consequences.