Liana Gheorghe1, Irma Eva Csiki2, Speranta Iacob3, Cristian Gheorghe3, Anca Trifan4, Mircea Grigorescu5, Adriana Motoc6, Andra Suceveanu7, Manuela Curescu8, Florin Caruntu9, Ioan Sporea10, Ciprian Brisc11, Ion Rogoveanu12, Razvan Cerban3, Letitia Tugui3, Andrea Alexandrescu13. 1. Center Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania. drlgheorghe@gmail.com. 2. National Institute of Public Health, Bucharest, Romania. 3. Center Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania. 4. Center Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Iasi, Romania. stanciucarol@yahoo.com. 5. Institute Gastroenterology and Hepatology Cluj Napoca, Romania. 6. Victor Babes Universitary Hospital of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Bucharest, Romania. 7. Clinic Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Constanta, Romania. 8. University Hospital Infectious Diseases, Timisoara, Romania. 9. National Institute Infectious Diseases Matei Bals, Bucharest, Romania. 10. Center Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania. 11. Clinic Gastroenterology Hepatology, Oradea, Romania. 12. Clinic Gastroenterology Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Craiova, Romania. 13. Hoffmann La Roche, Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is associated with accelerated progression of fibrosis, early occurrence of hepatic decompensation and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Epidemiological data on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) in Romania are still lacking. AIM: To assess the prevalence, virological, clinical and epidemiological features of HDV infection in Romanian patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study in 10 centers. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and potential risk factors were collected through a questionnaire. Virological markers of HBV and HDV infection, biochemical and clinical features of liver disease were evaluated. RESULTS: The study population comprised 2,761 HBsAg(+) patients with a mean age of 43.8+/-13.8 years, out of whom 5.2% were HBeAg(+) and 55.7% were males. Liver cirrhosis was detected in 17.9% of patients, while 80.4% had chronic hepatitis. The prevalence of IgG anti-HDV(+) patients was 23.1%, out of whom 16.4% were HDV RNA positive. The highest prevalence of HDV infection was encountered in patients aged 50-59 years (28.9%) and patients aged >/= 60 (24.8%) (p=0.0001). Seroprevalence of HDV was significantly higher in AgHBs(+) cirrhotics vs. noncirrhotics (43.4% vs 19.0%, p=0.0001). Risk factors for HDV infection were: occupational hazard, no HCV chronic infection, lack of anti-HBV vaccination, presence of blood transfusions, any previous surgery, frequent hospitalization or endoscopies, tattoos, body piercing, use of glass syringes, number of female sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: HBsAg(+) population in Romania is characterized by a high prevalence of HBeAg(-) HBV infection as well as HDV co-infection. A cohort phenomenon for HDV prevalence is also observed similar to that of HCV/HBV monoinfections.
BACKGROUND:Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is associated with accelerated progression of fibrosis, early occurrence of hepatic decompensation and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Epidemiological data on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) in Romania are still lacking. AIM: To assess the prevalence, virological, clinical and epidemiological features of HDV infection in Romanian patients. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study in 10 centers. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and potential risk factors were collected through a questionnaire. Virological markers of HBV and HDV infection, biochemical and clinical features of liver disease were evaluated. RESULTS: The study population comprised 2,761 HBsAg(+) patients with a mean age of 43.8+/-13.8 years, out of whom 5.2% were HBeAg(+) and 55.7% were males. Liver cirrhosis was detected in 17.9% of patients, while 80.4% had chronic hepatitis. The prevalence of IgG anti-HDV(+) patients was 23.1%, out of whom 16.4% were HDV RNA positive. The highest prevalence of HDV infection was encountered in patients aged 50-59 years (28.9%) and patients aged >/= 60 (24.8%) (p=0.0001). Seroprevalence of HDV was significantly higher in AgHBs(+) cirrhotics vs. noncirrhotics (43.4% vs 19.0%, p=0.0001). Risk factors for HDV infection were: occupational hazard, no HCV chronic infection, lack of anti-HBV vaccination, presence of blood transfusions, any previous surgery, frequent hospitalization or endoscopies, tattoos, body piercing, use of glass syringes, number of female sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: HBsAg(+) population in Romania is characterized by a high prevalence of HBeAg(-) HBV infection as well as HDV co-infection. A cohort phenomenon for HDV prevalence is also observed similar to that of HCV/HBV monoinfections.
Authors: Mathias Jachs; Teresa Binter; Caroline Schmidbauer; Lukas Hartl; Michael Strasser; Hermann Laferl; Stephanie Hametner-Schreil; Alexander Lindorfer; Kristina Dax; Rudolf E Stauber; Harald H Kessler; Sebastian Bernhofer; Andreas Maieron; Lorin Loacker; Simona Bota; Isabel Santonja; Petra Munda; Mattias Mandorfer; Markus Peck-Radosavljevic; Heidemarie Holzmann; Michael Gschwantler; Heinz Zoller; Peter Ferenci; Thomas Reiberger Journal: United European Gastroenterol J Date: 2021-12-07 Impact factor: 4.623