Epidemiology of Hepatitis D

Abstract

Hepatitis D occurs worldwide. The major victims of the hepatitis D virus (HDV) are individuals carrying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); around 5% of the HBsAg carriers in the world are infected also by HDV. With the implementation of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination since the 1990s, the incidence of hepatitis D has consistently declined in the developed world, particularly in Southern Europe; however, immigrants from areas where HDV remains endemic are reintroducing the infection.Hepatitis D continues to ravage populations of developing and poor countries where HBV remains unchecked; action is needed to enforce HBV vaccination as effective prophylaxis not only against HBV, but against HDV as well.

Exploratory study of hepatitis D virus infection in HBsAg carriers in Abidjan, Cte Divoire in 2016

“…The prevalence of HDV infection in this study was 23.0%, a figure considerably higher than the estimated worldwide prevalence of 5% (Rizzetto and Ciancio, 2012). This result is lower than the results of other studies conducted in Bangladesh (24.4%) and those conducted by Seetlani et al (2009).…”

Hepatitis D Virus: Introduction and Epidemiology

“…Hepatitis D is considered the most severe form of viral hepatitis in humans, accelerating progression to cirrhosis and leading to early decompensation of liver function compared with HBV monoinfection . In Greece, Samoa, and the Far East, HDV was also associated with benign clinical conditions or normal liver function, suggesting that disease expression may vary, possibly related to different HDV genotypes (Rizzetto and Ciancio 2012).…”

“…Deprived of HBsAg, the circulation of HDV has markedly declined in the Western world. This decline has been age dependent, with rates of infection diminishing in younger HBsAg carriers, but not in older ones (Wedemeyer and Manns 2010;Rizzetto and Ciancio 2012).…”

Hepatitis Delta

“…1, 16 Sagnelli et al reports that HBV genotype D was the most common genotype infecting residents of Italy since decades and was responsible for 95% cases of acute and chronic hepatitis B cases but now this percentage has fallen down to 40% due to migrants moving from different areas to Italy. 17,18 Crispim et al reports his study result, which was conducted in the Western Amazon region.…”