title: Significance of delta agent infection in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a study in British carriers.
abstract: Delta antigen (delta) is a transmissible agent requiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. Antibody to delta (anti-delta) was present in nine of 71 (13%) British HBV carriers: six were intravenous drug abusers and two were haemophiliacs. Anti-delta was negative in 30 HBsAg positive homosexuals. Cirrhosis was common in patients with anti-delta and those with anti-delta positive cirrhosis were significantly younger than those with anti-delta negative cirrhosis. In British HBV carriers delta infection is associated with intravenous drug abuse and haemophilia and perhaps a more rapid progression of chronic liver disease.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000276:immunology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000276:immunology; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens