Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Positive Individuals
Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Surface Antigen Positive Individuals
Globally, about 248 million people are chronic HBV surface antigen carriers, and about 5% of
 them also had hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection as well. The prevalence of HBsAg in Egypt
 is intermediate (2-7%) .

 Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an incomplete RNA virus that needs hepatitis B surface antigen
 (HBsAg) to help its replication. HDV is considered a subviral particle because it depends on
 HBV for its propagation. Combined HDV- HBV infection produces more severe liver affection
 than HBV alone.

 HDV infection leads to both of acute and chronic liver illnesses. Acute HDV infection can
 occur at the same time with acute HBV infection (coinfection) or can be superimposed on the
 top of chronic HBV infection. About 20% to 30% of coinfections of HDV and HBV in humans
 develop fatal fulminant hepatitis versus 2% of patients with acute hepatitis B
 mono-infection. Worldwide, Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection present in more than 15 million
 people and it is endemic in the Middle East . In Upper Egypt, data about the prevalence,
 clinical, laboratory and virological characters of Hepatitis D virus-infected patients is
 rare.

 This study aims were:

 1. To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis D virus infection among HBsAg positive
 individuals.

 2. To determine the clinical, laboratory and virological characters of HDV infected
 patients.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  HBV related liver disorder, aged 18-60 years.

 -  HBsAg positive individuals were divided into different clinical categories according
 to EASL 2012 and we revised this classification according to EASL 2017. HBeAg negative
 chronic infection; HBeAg positive chronic infection), Acute hepatitis, Fulminant
 hepatitis, Chronic hepatitis (HBeAg positive and HBeAg negative), Liver cirrhosis, and
 Primary HCC.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Dual infection with other viruses as HCV and/or HIV, auto-immune or alcoholic
 hepatitis.