Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients in Qom Province, Center of Iran

authors:

avatar Mohammad-Reza Ghadir 1 , * , avatar Mojtaba Belbasi 2 , avatar Akram Heidari 2 , avatar Seyed Saeid Sarkeshikian 2 , avatar Alireza Kabiri 2 , avatar Amir Hossein Ghanooni 2 , avatar Abolfazl Iranikhah 2 , avatar Maryam Vaez-Javadi 2 , avatar Seyed-Moayed Alavian 3

Gastroenterology Section, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, ghadir@muq.ac.ir, IR Iran
Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Research Center, IR Iran
Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, IR Iran
Hepatitis Monthly: Vol.12, issue 3; 205-208
article type: Brief Report
received: August 11, 2011
accepted: March 2, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.847

how to cite: Ghadir M, Belbasi M, Heidari A, Sarkeshikian S, Kabiri A, et al. Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients in Qom Province, Center of Iran. Hepat Mon. 2012;12(3): 205-208. https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.847.

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that depends on the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus for its replication, developing exclusively in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B. There are little data regarding the routes of HDV transmission in Iran. The risk factors for HDV infection in Iran are blood transfusion, surgery, family history, Hejamat wet cupping (traditional phlebotomy), tattooing, war injury, dental interventions, and endoscopy.
Objectives: We performed this study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis D in the general population of Qom province and the potential risk factors for acquiring HDV.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study collected 3690 samples from 7 rural clusters and 116 urban clusters. HBs antigen was measured, and if the test was positive, anti-HDV was measured. Ten teams, each consisting of 2 trained members, were assigned to conduct the sampling and administer the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Forty-eight subjects (1.3%) suffered from hepatitis B, and 1 HBsAg-positive case had HDV infection. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in Qom Province was 0.03%. The prevalence of hepatitis D infection in HBsAg-positive cases was 2%. Our anti-HDV-positive case had a history of tattooing, surgery, and dental surgery. There was no significant relationship between tattooing, surgery history, or dental surgery and hepatitis D infection.
Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis D in Qom is the the lowest in Iran, similar to a study in Babol (north of Iran).

  • Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
    Hepatitis D infection aggregates chronic hepatitis B infection in the patients. This article about super and co-infection of HDV is recommended for medical practitioners and specialists in the field of hepatologists as well as health policy makers.
  • Please cite this paper as:
    Ghadir MR, Belbasi M, Heidari A, Sarkeshikian SS, Kabiri A, Ghanooni AH, et al. Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus Infection Among Hepatitis B Virus Infected Patients in Qom Province, Center of Iran. Hepat Mon. 2012;12(3): 205-8. DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.847

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