Hepatitis delta virus infections in intravenous drug abusers with hepatitis B in the west of Scotland.

The prevalence of delta virus infection was studied in 264 intravenous drug abusers (IVDAs) whose sera were found to be HBsAg positive between 1985 and 1987 and in 15 IVDAs from the period 1971-75, seven from 1976, 15 from 1979, and 37 from 1982. Delta markers were present in 41% of IVDAs with acute hepatitis B and in 65% of those who were chronic HBsAg carriers between 1985-87. The first evidence of delta virus infection was found in 1975. In 1976, 1979, and 1982, respectively, 42, 63, and 5% of IVDAs with acute hepatitis B had delta coinfection. In the West of Scotland, delta infection has been established in the IVDA population since 1975. The very high percentage of IVDA carriers superinfected with the delta virus implies that there will be an excess of patients presenting with severe liver disease in the future.