Sero-prevalence of hepatitis D virus in patients with hepatitis B virus in North-Western Libya

Abstract

Several reports indicated a declining trend in the occurrence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in some geographical areas. However, no study has been published in Libya to determine the sero-prevalence of HDV in this part of the world. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the sero-prevalence of HDV in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) attending Saint James hospital in Tripoli. A total of 346 patients with HBV were evaluated for the presence of anti HDV antibodies and delta antigen using commercially available ELISA kits. HDV co-infection was detected in 6 patients (anti HDV antibodies in 3 patients and the delta antigen in another 3 patients) (1.734%). Our results suggest that delta infection may not be very common in