海洛因静脉吸毒者HBV和HCV感染状况的调查

乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)与丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)在不同人群中的感染率不尽相同,国外报告证实静脉吸毒者是HBV和HCV的高危人群,国内个别地区也有报导,本文对94例海洛因静脉吸毒者进行了调查,现将结果报告如下:1 材料与方法1.1 对象 吸毒组:男性69例,女性25例,均为广州某戒毒所收客的吸毒者,年龄18～45岁,吸毒时间1个月至3年,均无肝炎病史,无乙肝疫苗免疫注射史,吸毒方式为静脉注射.对照组:男性62例,女性38例,均为广州医学院教职工,年龄在20～55岁.1.2 血清学检测方法 用ELISA法检测血清中的HBsAg,HBsAb,HBeAg,HBeAb,HBcAb及抗HCV,试剂购自上海科华实业生物技术有限公司.双份测定阳性的判为阳性,出现任何1项HBV感染指标即为HBV感染.     

揭阳市1460例吸毒者HIV及梅毒监测结果分析

目的了解揭阳市吸毒人员艾滋病病毒（HIV）及梅毒的感染状况及相关危险因素。方法采用统一的调查表．对2006年新进入戒毒所的吸毒人员进行面对面的问卷调查，同时对每一个调查对象采用一次性注射器采集静脉血3～5ml进行HIV和梅毒抗体检测。结果共监测1460名吸毒者，HIV阳性率为0．48％，梅毒感染率为10．55％：有43．84％注射毒品行为，注射毒品的吸毒者中有38．60％承认曾与他人共用注射器或针头：28．22％吸毒者承认曾通过钱或毒品交易与他人发生过性行为，16．26％的吸毒者每次与他人发生性关系时都使用安全套。结论揭阳市吸毒人群的HIV感染率较低，但存在高危行为，应加强干预等工作，阻止艾滋病由高危人群向一般人群传播。     

不同HCV感染途径HBV／HCV重叠感染患者临床差异分析

目的 了解不同HCV感染途径HBV/HCV重叠感染患者临床特征的差异。方法 回顾分析我院1999年5月至2010年5月间HCV和HBV重叠感染具有明确HCV感染途径的患者总133例;利用SPSS16.0软件,统计分析不同HCV感染途径HBV/HCV重叠感染患者的人口学、病毒学和生化学等指标。结果 133例患者中,78例患者因静脉吸毒感染HCV（ 1DU）,55例因输血感染HCV（PTCH）。IDU重叠感染患者与PTCH重叠感染患者相比,具有发病年龄较小、HBV和HCV感染病史较短和肝硬化比率低（P＜0.05）;但是IDU重叠感染患者体内ALT（t=4.760,P=0.000）、AST（t =3.798,P=0.000）和TBil（t =4.274,P=0.000）水平比PTCH重叠感染患者明显升高。两组患者的性别构成比率不同（X^2= 18.706,P=0.000）。结论 输血后感染HCV患者和静脉吸毒感染HCV患者临床特征存在明显差异。输血后感染丙肝患者具有发病较晚、肝硬化较多和肝损伤较轻特点;而静脉吸毒感染丙肝患者具有发病年龄早和肝损伤较重等特点。     

广州地区HBV/HCV重叠感染患者流行及临床特征研究

目的 探讨广州地区乙型肝炎病毒/丙型肝炎病毒（HBV/HCV）重叠感染患者的流行及临床特征,为提高其诊治提供依据.方法 回顾2005年4月至2011年10月我院收治慢性HBV感染患者临床资料,分析HBV/HCV重叠感染患者流行特征,按照HBeAg状态以及HBV DNA、HCV RNA水平分组分析HBV/HCV重叠感染患者临床特征.结果 HBV/HCV重叠感染率为1.9％（128/6604）,主要见于伴静脉吸毒史的男性中年患者.HBeAg阳性与阴性重叠感染患者之间的生化指标和终末期肝病发生率均无差异.HBeAg阳性患者HBV DNA阳性率高于阴性患者（P ＜0.001）,而HCV RNA水平阳性率低于阴性患者（P =0.007）.HBV DNA阳性患者终末期肝病发生率较阴性组升高（58.1％比37.9％,P=0.027）,而HCV RNA阳性与阴性患者之间发生率相似（43.6％比49.2％,P=0.540）.结论 广州地区HBV/HCV重叠感染率较低,HBV DNA水平可能与患者的疾病进展相关.     

某地吸毒人群与HIV感染相关的高危行为调查

目的了解深圳市某地吸毒人群与HIV感染相关的高危行为。方法采用整群抽样的方法对一定时间内全体强制戒毒人员进行血清HIV抗体检测,并对其中76例HIV阳性者进行问卷调查。结果HIV抗体检出率为5．01％,戒毒人群中15～35岁占93．67％;HIV感染者中,15—35岁占96．05％,静脉注射吸毒者高达98．68％,共用注射器者占静脉吸毒者的80．26％。结论某地吸毒人群中存在引起HIV流行的高危行为．需尽快开展有效的干预措施。建议在流动人口中开展艾滋病预防教育活动,同时还应对在校学生开展预防吸毒的教育。     

柳州地区HIV感染者合并HBV、HCV及TP感染现状分析

目的分析人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）感染者中合并乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）、丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）以及梅毒螺旋体（TP）感染的流行现状及其特点。方法对确诊的184例HIV感染者进行流行病学调查，并采集血标本进行HBV、HCV和梅毒血清学检测。结果HIV感染者感染途径分别为：静脉注射毒品44．0％，性传播20．1％，母婴传播4.3％，输血或血制品3．8％，其他（原因不详）27．7％。184例HIV感染者中，抗-HCV阳性者36人（19．6％），HBsAg阳性者29人（15．8％），梅毒感染者21人（11．4％）。HIV、HBV和HCV三重感染者9人，约占4．9％。结论柳州市HIV感染以静脉注射毒品为主，性传播有所上升，HIV感染正由特殊人群向普通人群蔓延。HIV合并HBV、HCV、TP感染较为常见。建议在性病门诊中常规开展HIV的筛查，对HIV感染者常规进行HBV、HCV的相关检查并积极采取相关的预防治疗措施。     

某艾滋病治疗示范区人免疫缺陷病毒感染者合并隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒感染的调查分析

目的 调查分析某艾滋病治疗示范区人免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）-1感染者中隐匿性乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的情况及其影响因素.方法 采集某艾滋病治疗示范区97例经血感染HIV-1的感染者的血浆,采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测乙型肝炎表面抗原与抗体（HBsAg与抗HBs）、乙型肝炎e抗原与抗体（HBeAg与抗Hbe）、乙型肝炎核心抗体（抗HBc）及丙型肝炎抗体（抗HCV）;采用吸附柱法抽提HBV DNA;采用巢式聚合酶链反应（PCR）法检测HBV S区;采用流式细胞仪计数CD4＋T淋巴细胞.HBsAg阴性PCR阳性结果 者为合并隐匿性HBV感染者.合并隐匿性HBV感染者为实验组,未合并隐匿性HBV感染者为对照组.结果 97例HIV感染者中HBsAg阴性者92例（94.85%）.92例HBsAg阴性者中合并隐匿性HBV感染者27例（29.35%）,抗HCV阳性者73例（79.35%）.合并隐匿性HBV感染者和未合并HBV感染者CD4＋T淋巴细胞数、单独抗HBc阳性率分别为（212.11±133.1）和（318.9±172.2）cells/mm3、62.96%和18.46%,以上两指标两组比较差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01）,两组间年龄、性别、是否合并HCV感染及抗HBs阳性率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.结论 经有偿献血途径感染HIV者中存在隐匿性HBV感染;HIV阳性合并隐匿性HBV感染者中易出现单纯抗HBc阳性;CD4＋T淋巴细胞数低的HIV感染者更容易合并隐匿性HBV感染.     

静脉药瘾者辅助性T细胞功能的研究

目的　探讨静脉药瘾者辅助性T细胞的变化及与病毒感染的关系。方法　采集381例静脉药瘾者和10 2例健康体检者静脉血,用酶联免疫吸附法、放射免疫测定法检测外周血单个核细胞诱生的IFN γ和IL 4 ,血清中IL 2和IL 4 ,以及HBV和HCV感染的血清学指标。结果　①静脉药瘾者单个核细胞诱生的IFN γ、IL 4以及血清IL 2比对照组减低;血清IL 4增高,差异具有显著性意义(P <0 .0 1)。②静脉药瘾者HBV和HCV感染率增高,与对照组比较差异具有显著性意义;发生HBV和HCV感染时,静脉药瘾者单个核细胞诱生的IFN γ进一步降低。结论　静脉药瘾者Th1 Th2细胞失衡,机体抗病毒能力减弱,而病毒感染又加重细胞免疫功能紊乱。     

近十年广东地区丙型肝炎感染途径的特点

目的了解最近十年广东地区丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染途径的特点。方法 采用回顾性调查与前瞻性研究相结合的方法,进行定群随访观察。结果 感染途径明确者占34.5%（38/110）,包括静脉吸毒15.5%（17/110）,输血及血制品14.5%（16/110）和血液透析4.5%（5/110）;感染途径不明确,存在可疑感染因素者占30%（33/110）,包括家庭内传播3.6%（4/110）,小手术及注射史12.7%（14/110）,皮肤损伤性美容10.9%（12/110）,职业暴露2.7%（3/110）;不明感染途径者占35.4%（39/110）。各组之间年龄大小差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,静脉吸毒均为男性,职业暴露均为女性,与其他组比较,P〈0.001。结论 在广东地区,近十年HCV感染的多种途径并存,小手术及注射、皮肤损伤性美容正在成为与静脉吸毒、输血及血制品同等重要的感染途径。不明感染途径者无论数量还是比例都排第一位,是今后预防的主要问题。     

HIV/HCV合并感染者淋巴细胞活化及第二受体表达的研究

目的了解中国不同疾病进展阶段人类免疫缺陷病毒和丙型肝炎病毒（HIV／HCV）合并感染者T淋巴细胞与自然杀伤细胞（natural killer cells，NK）数量变化及T淋巴细胞活化、受体表达情况，并探讨HCV感染对HIV感染免疫指标及疾病进展的影响。方法应用流式细胞术分析228例不同疾病进展阶段的HIV／HCV合并感染者及101例单纯HIV感染者外周血T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量及T淋巴细胞活化受体（HLA-DR、CD38）、第二受体（CCR5、CXCR4）表达情况。结果（1）HIV／HCV合并感染组中，CD4^＋T淋巴细胞、NK细胞数量随疾病进展持续下降，其中艾滋病组（AIDS）明显低于无症状HIV感染组（HIV）（P〈0．05），HIV组明显低于长期不进展组（LTNP）（P〈0．01），LTNP组与健康对照组差异无统计学意义。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD8^＋T细胞表面活化受体HLA-DR、CD38的表达依次升高，其中各组间CD8／CD38的升高差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05），AIDS组CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR的升高明显高于LTNP组和HIV组（P〈0．01）。LTNP组、HIV组及AIDS组CD4^＋、CD3^＋T细胞表面CCR5的表达亦依次升高，各组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）；CD3^＋T细胞表面CXCR4的表达依次升高，AIDS组明显高于HIV组和LTNP组（P〈0．01）。（2）HIV／HCV合并感染组与单纯HIV感染组相比，AIDS组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．05），CD4^＋T细胞下降，但无统计学意义，CD4／HLA-DR、CD8／HLA-DR、CD4／CXCR4、CD3／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．01）；HIV组NK细胞明显下降（P〈0．01），CD4／CXCR4明显升高（P〈0．05）；LTNP组各项指标与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义。（3）HIV／HCV合并感染组的HIV病毒载量随疾病进展不断升高，与单纯HIV感染组相比差异无统计学意义；HCV病毒载量在疾病不同阶段差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论随疾病进展，HIV／HCV合并感染者的免疫功能逐渐下降，HIV病毒载量逐渐升高。与单纯HIV感染相比，合并HCV感染可通过破坏机体天然免疫功能、促进免疫系统活化和受体表达，加速HIV感染的疾病进展。     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and risk factors for serological evidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tests for anti-HCV antibody were carried out by enzyme-linked immunoassay (EIA) on 101 HIV-infected patients from two university-based outpatient clinics. Anti-HCV antibody reactive samples were tested by using a recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) for HCV antibodies. Fourteen of 101 (13.9%) HIV-infected patients were anti-HCV reactive by EIA. Of these 14, only seven were reactive by RIBA: four were intravenous drug users as a sole risk factor for HIV infection; and the remaining three acquired HIV by blood transfusion, contaminated instrument exposure or IV drug use and sexual contact. Acquisition of HIV by sexual activity alone was not associated with HCV infection. It is concluded that HCV infection is found in approximately 7% of a university HIV clinic population. False-positive anti-HCV antibody serology may lead to overestimation of the prevalence of HCV infection. Female sex and intravenous drug use are significantly associated with HCV infection among HIV-infected individuals.     

Clinical and virological characteristics of hepatitis B or C virus co-infection with HIV in Indonesian patients

Hepatitis virus-related liver disease increases substantially the mortality rate of patients with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Therefore, early diagnosis of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) is important. However, the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in Indonesian patients infected with HIV is unknown. Therefore, this study examined the molecular and clinical characteristics of HBV and HCV in 126 patients infected with HIV, mostly on HAART, at Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The rates of triple infection, HIV/HCV co-infection, HIV/HBV co-infection, and mono-infection were 4.8%, 34.1%, 3.2%, and 57.9%, respectively. Seven HCV genotypes were detected, with genotypes 1a, 1b, 1c, 3a, 3k, 4a, and 6n found in 23 (52%), 1 (2%), 4 (9%), 5 (11%), 7 (16%), 3 (6%), and 1 (2%) patients, respectively, indicating multiple modes of transmission. HBV-DNA was detected in 2/10 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen; both patients were HAART naive. Univariate analysis revealed that male sex, higher education level, injection drug use, sexual contact, alanine aminotransferase ≥40 IU/L, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index > 0.5 were associated with HCV co-infection. In multivariate analysis, injection drug use (OR: 26.52; 95% CI: 3.52-199.54) and alanine aminotransferase ≥40 IU/L (OR: 6.36; 95% CI: 1.23-32.89) were independently associated with HCV co-infection. HCV co-infection was common among Indonesian patients infected with HIV, particularly among injecting drug users, and was a risk factor for disease progression of HIV.     

High prevalence of syphilis,HBV, and HCV co‐infection,and low rate of effective vaccination against hepatitis B in HIV‐infected patients in West China hospital

To investigate the epidemiological features and risk factors of HBV, HCV, and syphilis infection among HIV‐infected patients in West China Hospital. A retrospective study was conducted with HIV‐infected patients from 2014 to 2016 in West China hospital, SCU. Serum makers for HBV, HCV, and syphilis were detected. Among 894 HIV‐infected patients, the prevalence of HIV/HBV, HIV/HCV, HIV/syphilis co‐infections was 14.4%, 5.7%, and 18.9% respectively. HIV/HBV/HCV, HIV/HCV/syphilis, and HIV/HBV/syphilis triple co‐infection was 7 (0.7%), 12(1.3%), 29(3.2%) respectively. The rate of effective vaccination against HBV was only 7.7% in HIV‐infected patients. Age (OR = 0.243 95% CI: 0.114 ?0.518), ethnicity (OR = 3.654 95% CI: 1.849‐7.218) and education level (OR = 0.140 95% CI: 0.033‐0.606) are risk factors affecting HIV/HCV co‐infection. A high prevalence of HIV/syphilis, HIV/HBV, and HIV/ HCV co‐infection can be observed in west China. The rate for HIV‐infected patients who were effectively vaccinated against HBV was fewer than 10%.     

Interference of replication between hepatitis B and C viruses in patients infected with HIV

The clinical and cellular interactions between hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) were investigated in patients co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). One hundred ninety-nine patients followed for 6 years were evaluated to compare the level of HBV DNA and HCV RNA in patients co-infected with HIV and HBV, and patients co-infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV. A full-length HBV genome and HCV JFH1 RNA were co-transfected into HuH-7.5.1 cells in vitro to examine the impact of co-infection and dependence on the HBV PreC mutant for replication interference. Before 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (3TC)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) was initiated, HBV DNA was found in 56/123 (45.4%) patients co-infected with HIV and HBV, and in 19/76 (25.0%) patients co-infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV. After 3TC-based ART was initiated, detectable HBV DNA decreased to 7/76 (9.2%) in patients co-infected with HIV, HBV, and HCV, but HCV RNA increased from 43/76 (56.6%) to 60/76 (78.9%) (P = 0.003). In vitro HBV and HCV co-infection led to decreased replication of both viruses. The primary factors that influenced the decreased replication were the order of the HBV and HCV infection and the HBV PreC mutation.     

Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection amongst intravenous drug users in rural communities

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection amongst a group of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) resident in West Suffolk (East Anglia, England) was investigated and compared with the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In addition, both the level of HCV persistence, as defined by detection of viral RNA, and the HCV genotypes present in this population were determined. It was found that HCV antibodies were present in 59% of those tested; by comparison 22% had antibodies to HBV and 1% antibodies to HIV. HCV RNA was found in 44% of those with HCV antibody. HCV genotype 1 was the most prevalent within this population although both genotypes 2 and 3 were also represented. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis B and C virus infections in treatment-na?ve HIV-infected patients

In HIV-infected treatment-na?ve patients, we analyzed risk factors for either chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, occult HBV infection (OHBV) or a positive hepatitis C (HCV) serostatus. A total of 918 patients of the RESINA-cohort in Germany were included in this study. Before initiating antiretroviral therapy, clinical parameters were collected and blood samples were analyzed for antibodies against HIV, HBV and HCV, HBs antigen and viral nucleic acids for HIV and HBV. Present or past HBV infection (i.e. HBsAg and/or anti-HBc) was found in 43.4% of patients. HBsAg was detected in 4.5% (41/918) and HBV DNA in 6.1% (34/554), resulting in OHBV infection in 2.9% (16/554) of patients. OHBV infection could not be ruled out by the presence of anti-HBs (50.1%) or the absence of all HBV seromarkers (25%). A HCV-positive serostatus was associated with the IVDU transmission route, non-African ethnicity, elevated liver parameters (ASL or GGT) and low HIV viral load. Replicative HBV infection and HCV-positive serostatus both correlated with HIV resistance mutations (P?=?0.001 and P?=?0.028). HBV and HCV infection are frequent co-infections in HIV treatment-naive patients. These co-infections influence viral evolution, clinical parameters and serological markers. Consequently, HIV patients should routinely be tested for HBV and HCV infection before initiating HIV treatment. OHBV infection constituted almost half of all HBV infections with detectable HBV DNA. Due to a lack of risk factors indicating OHBV infection, HBV diagnosis should not only include serological markers but also the detection of HBV DNA.     

Tattooing as a risk of hepatitis C virus infection.

The association of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and tattooing was studied in 87 tattooed and 126 tattoo free healthy young men who did not engage in intravenous drug use or multiple sexual activity. Antibody against HCV (anti-HCV) was tested in serum specimens by enzyme immunoassay with C100-3, NS3, and core antigens; 11 of the 87 (12.6%) tattooed and 3 of the 126 (2.4%) tattoo free subjects were positive for anti-HCV (odds ratio = 5.9, 95% CI = 1.6-22.0). A relationship was demonstrated by an increased risk for HCV infection with an increasing number of tattooed site (P(trend) = 0.002). All but one of the 87 tattooed subjects had been infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and 25 were carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). None of the 25 HBsAg carriers was positive for anti-HCV whereas 11 of the 62 HBsAg non-carriers had anti-HCV, suggesting a negative association between the HBsAg carriage and the long lasting anti-HCV (P = 0.02, Fisher's exact). The status of the tattooer was also an important determinant for HCV infection; the risk was higher if tattooing was done by a non-professional friend than by a professional tattooist. Tattooing, probably with improperly sterilized needles, can clearly pose an increased risk for HCV infection in Taiwan. This study indicates the need for legal standards for hygienic tattooing as part of preventive measures for the control of parenterally transmitted infections.     

Hepatitis D virus infection among intravenous drug abusers in Taiwan: analysis of risk factors and liver function tests

To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among intravenous drug abusers in Taiwan, a total of 761 male prisoners, including 680 intravenous drug abusers, were studied for serological markers of HBV and HDV. Questionnaires were distributed to evaluate the risk factors for HDV infection and also to estimate the strength of association among HDV infection and the risk factors. HBV infection was common, and the positive rates of HBV markers between intravenous drug abusers and non-drug abusers were not statistically different. However, the positive rate of the antibody to HDV was significantly higher among intravenous drug abusers than among non-drug abusers (21.3% vs. 8.6%). Of 131 chronic HBV carriers with intravenous drug abuse, 119 (91%) were anti-HD positive. Using multiple logistic regression models, we found that the most important risk factor for HDV infection was hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriage, and intravenous drug addiction the next. A matched case-control study also was conducted to compare liver function tests among both anti-HD- and HBsAg-positive group anti-HD-negative, and HBs-AG-positive group as well as those with neither positive. Statistically significant difference in liver function tests was not found. It is concluded that the HBsAg carriers with intravenous drug abuse in Taiwan are commonly HDV infected with and that the infection does not seem to affect the liver as assessed by liver function tests.     

High prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea

Although intravenous drug users are a well-known route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission, there is no data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users in Korea. In order to describe the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection, and to determine HCV genotypes in the population, serum samples were collected from 107 intravenous drug users during 2005-2006. Fifty-seven percent (n = 61) were HCV RNA positive and 51% (n = 55) were HBV DNA positive. Co-infection of HBV and HCV were found in 23% (n = 25). HCV genotypes 1b, 2a/2c, 2, 2b, and 3a were found in 38% (n = 23), 44% (n = 27), 8% (n = 5), 2% (n = 1), and 3% (n = 2), respectively. Moreover, mixed infections of genotypes 1b and 2a/2c were found in 5% (n = 3). When the number of patients with HCV genotype 1b compared with that of patients with genotype 2a/2c, HBV DNA titer was not significantly different by independent t-test (t = -0.881, P = 0.392 > 0.05) between the two patient groups. These results suggest that the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection among intravenous drug users is high showing over 50% in Korea and a strategic prevention program should be performed in this group to prevent further infection into local community.     

Concurrent hepatitis C virus and hepatitis delta virus superinfection in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are transmitted by the same routes as hepatitis B virus (HBV), simultaneous or concurrent HCV and HDV infection in patients with chronic HBV infection may occur. To test this hypothesis and to examine the clinicohistological and immunopathological presentations of such multiple hepatitis virus infections, acute and/or convalescent serum specimens from 86 patients with acute HDV superinfection were tested by enzyme immunoassay for antibodies to HCV. Of the 86 patients, 18 (20.9%) were associated with HCV infection. Although patients with early mortality cannot be evaluated by the HCV markers used in this study, the results showed that the clinical and histologic features were similar except that patients with HCV infection were older than those without HCV infection (P less than 0.01). Immunopathological studies carried out within 2 months after the onset of acute HDV superinfection demonstrated that hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) was not detected in any patient and HDV antigen was detected in 18.2% of the patients with HCV infection whereas HBcAg and HDAg were found in 7% and 65.1%, respectively, of those without HCV coinfection (P less than 0.02). It is concluded that concurrent HCV and HDV superinfections can and do occur in patients with chronic HBV infection. In these triple viral infections, HCV may even transiently suppress HDV and HBV.