Delta hepatitis in Denver.
The prevalence of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the mid-United States is not well defined. We tested 65 patients seen between 1983 and 1986 with HBV infection in Denver for evidence of coexisting HDV infection. Five patients had anti-delta (delta) antibody. The prevalence of HDV infection was higher in patients with chronic hepatitis B (4/37) than in patients with acute hepatitis B (1/28). The prevalence of HDV infection in male homosexuals (3/32) was similar to reported figures, but the incidence of delta-infection in intravenous drug users in Denver was usually low (1/16). In comparison to Los Angeles, New York, southern Italy, and Sweden, Denver appears to have a low incidence of HDV infection, which probably reflects its low prevalence in the drug-using population.
Rector
W G
WG
Govindarajan
S
S
Penley
K A
KA
Judson
F N
FN
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003120:Colorado; D005260:Female; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male