Unexpected low prevalence of delta antibodies in the east Amazon region and S?o Paulo: evidence for regional differences in the epidemiology of delta hepatitis virus within Brazil |
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| Authors: | E Strauss L C Gayotto L C da Silva V A Alves F Carrilho D A Chamone E F da Silva G Porta C Granato C Trepo |
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| Institution: | Liver Unit, School of Medicine, University of S?o Paulo, Brazil. |
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| Abstract: | Antibodies (anti-HD) to hepatitis delta virus (HDV) were tested by radioimmunoassay in 207 human serum samples from the eastern Amazon (states of Pará and Amapá) and S?o Paulo, Brazil. 42 Amazon HBsAg asymptomatic carriers were negative for anti-HD. 84 S?o Paulo HBsAg asymptomatic carriers were also negative. Among the 81 HBsAg patients from S?o Paulo with different liver diseases, only one had anti-HD. Liver biopsy of this chronic active hepatitis case was positive for HBsAg, HBcAg and HDAg in liver, by an immunoperoxidase technique. The low prevalence of HDV infections in S?o Paulo and eastern Amazon was unexpected and contrasts with the recent reports of high prevalence in the western Amazon region. Such regional differences emphasize the need for extensive and precise worldwide epidemiological studies of HDV. |
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