Detection of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) markers in HBV carriers]

To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) superinfection in hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers, antibody to hepatitis delta antigen (anti-HD) was determined in the sera of 328 HBV carriers in Japan. 1) Of the 328 HBV carriers, six (1.8%) were seropositive for anti-HD by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. IgM-antibody to hepatitis delta antigen was detected in 2/6 patients with a high anti-HDV titer. None of the patients was positive for hepatitis dealt antigen. 2) HBV carriers with chronic liver disease had a greater frequency of seropositivity of anti-HD than asymptomatic HBV carriers. These data indicate that HDV superinfection may be an etiologic agent of chronic liver disease in HBV carriers.