SEROFREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS D VIRUS AMONG HEPATITIS B INFECTED PATIENTS, KHARTOUM STATE, SUDAN.

Nafisa Osman Mohammed*1, Nafisa Ahmed Ibrahim **2, Wafa Ibrahim Elhag ***3

Nafisa Osman Mohammed*1, Nafisa Ahmed Ibrahim **2, Wafa Ibrahim Elhag ***3 *1- Microbiology department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Sudan. **2- lecturer, Microbiology department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Sudan. ***3- Associate professor, Microbiology department, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al Neelain University, Sudan.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus dependent on Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection for its replication and expression. It is estimated that approximately 5% of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg) carriers in the world are HDV infected patients. HBV-HDV co-infection may lead to more severe acute disease and higher risks of fulminant hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma than those having HBV infection alone. Therefore, our study aimed to detect serofrequency of hepatitis D among hepatitis B infected patients. Materials and Methods: This was cross sectional study included known HBV infected patients, conducted Khartoum State, Sudan, during March to June 2015. HDV Antigen was detected using commercially available ELISA kit. Generated data were analyzed by using SPSS program. Results: A number of 90 patients who were HBsAg positive, attending Khartoum state hospitals, Sudan, were included in this study, aged between (20-79) years old, out of them 4(4.4%), were positive for HDV Ag, and all of them were males. There was no association between positive HDV Ag and risk factors such as Hemodialysis, blood transfusion, IV drug abuse, cupping as well as previous history of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions: Although HDV had a low frequency in our area, it is important for healthcare providers and policy makers to plan preventive strategies for HDV spread as well as HBV prevention programs among high risk population. Further investigations with large scale specimen are recommended. Keywords: Hepatitis Delta virus, Hepatitis B, ELISA, Serofrequency, Khartoum-Sudan.