Co-Infection of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis Delta Virus in Yaounde-Cameroon.
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Date
2014-12
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Abstract
Aims: To determine the seroprevalence of HDV as well as the virological and clinical
characteristics of HBV mono-infected and HBV/HDV co-infected patients.
Study Design: The few studies on HDV in Cameroon have reported a high prevalence of
this viral infection. This is a first step in describing the virological and clinical profile of
HBV mono-infected and of HBV/HDV co-infected patients.
Place and Duration of Study: Blood collection was carried out in the Gastroenterology
Unit of the Yaounde University Hospital Centre, Yaounde General Hospital and “Centre
Médical la Cathédrale”, from August 2012 to May 2013.
Methodology: We included into this study treatment-naïve HBV-infected patients from
Yaounde irrespective of age and gender free of HIV and HCV infection. Blood samples
were collected from each patient for laboratory analysis. Detection of HDV antibodies (Diasorin, Germany) was performed by ELISA and viral load for HBV and HDV was
determined using real-time PCR (Abbott Molecular Diagnostics). Patients were classified
clinically into low replicative hepatitis, immune tolerance and chronic active hepatitis.
Moreover, ultrasound and liver histological data were collected.
Results: The population comprised 128 chronic HBV-infected patients of which 77
(60.16%) were male and 51 (39.84%) were female. We found 29 HDV-positive patients
representing 22.66% of the population. In the HBV/HDV co-infected group, the mean viral
load for HBV was significantly low compared to patients with HBV mono-infection (P =
.01). These patients also presented with higher liver cytolysis compared to HBV monoinfected
patients (P<.001). Chronic active hepatitis was significantly more prevalent in
HBV/HDV co-infected patients (68.96%) compared to HBV mono-infected patients
(20.20%).
Conclusion: We found that HBV/HDV co-infection results in suppression of HBV
replication and such patients show broader sequelae of liver disease. The prevalence of
HBV and HDV co-infection is high in this population. Routine screening of HBV-positive
individuals for HDV should be implemented in the health services nationwide.
Description
Keywords
Hepatitis delta virus, hepatitis B virus, co-infection, Yaounde
Citation
Torimiro Judith Ndongo, Monamele Gwladys Chavely, Kowo Mathurin Pierre, Takou Désiré, Pouokam Guy-Bertrand, Fokam Joseph, Njoya Oudou. Co-Infection of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis Delta Virus in Yaounde-Cameroon. British Microbiology Research Journal. 2014 Dec; 4(12): 1381-1391.