Prevalence of Hepatitis D Among Patients with Hepatitis B Viral Infection Attending a Tertiary Care Centre of Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Worldwide there is variation in prevalence of Hepatitis D viral infection. Superinfection and co infection with hepatitis B viral infection is known to occur in 15-20 million people.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital based study carried out in NAMS, Bir hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal from period of January 2017 to June 2017. Consecutive patients of chronic hepatitis B viral infection of HBsAg positive with more than two-time upper normal limit of ALT were enrolled and tested for HDV IgG.

Results: Forty patients were enrolled during study period. Mean age was 30.9±12.2 years. Males were 28 (70%) and females 12 (30%). Most of the patients were asymptomatic for HBV infection 32 (80%). HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis was most commonly present in 31 (77.5%). Family history of Hepatitis B viral infection was seen in 7 (17.5%) and sexual promiscuity in 5 (12.5%) as the mode of acquisition of hepatitis B viral infection. HBcIgM was positive in three patients with mean HBV DNA of 4.97x10⁵±4.5x10⁵ IU/ml in HBeAg positive group. HDV IgG was negative in all patients.

Conclusions: Coinfection and superinfection of hepatitis D virus were found to be uncommon at Bir hospital, Nepal.

Keywords: HbsAg; HDV DNA; HDV IgG; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis D.