True prevalence of Twin HDV-HBV infection in Pakistan: A Molecular approach

September 5, 2011

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Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infects only patients that are already infected by

hepatitis B virus (HBV) because this is sub satellite virus which depends on and

propagate only in the presence of HBV. HDV causes co-infection or super

infection with sever complication as compared to only HBV infection.

No study on molecular level on HDV is available from this region; therefore, the

aim of this study was to found out the molecular epidemiology of HDV (as a

co-infection with HBV) in different geographical regions of Pakistan.Total 228

HBsAg positive samples were received for the study from different geographical

regions of the country. Only HBV DNA PCR positive samples were further utilized

for the presence of HDV RNA.

For this purpose, HDV RNA and HBV DNA was extracted and amplified using reverse

transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR and real-time

PCR.Out of the total 228 HBsAg positive samples, HBV DNA was detected in total

190 (83.3%) samples belonged to different patients. Of these 190 patients, HDV

RNA was observed in 53 (28%) patients.

Of the 53 HDV positive cases, 37 (69.8%) were males and 16 (30.2%) were female

patients. The percentage of dual infection was found higher significantly

(p<0.05) in male patients as compared to female patients.

Total 41 (26.8%) patients were below 40 years and 13 (31.7%) were above 40 years

of age. No significant difference was seen in patients with ages above or below

40 years.

In the provinces of Sindh, Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw and Punjab the observed

prevalence of HDV was 67%, 6% and 4% respectively.In conclusion, the HDV

infection is not uncommon in Pakistan and its prevalence is higher significantly

in the Province of Sindh (p<0.01) and male six (p<0.05).

Author: Asad KhanMuhammad WaqarMadiha AkramMehnaz ZaibMuhammad WasimShahzad

AhmadZeeshan NiazSajid AliHaider AliMuhammad IdreesMohammad Bajwa

Credits/Source: Virology Journal 2011, 8:420

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