title: Epidemiology and clinical course of delta infection in Britain.
abstract: This study demonstrates the presence of serological markers of delta infection in HBsAg positive patients throughout the years 1976-1982. As in other Northern European countries, delta infection in Britain is predominantly found in drug addicts and haemophiliacs. delta Ag was detected transiently in serum in a minority of patients presenting with acute hepatitis. In the others and those presenting with chronic liver disease, anti-delta was the only serological evidence of delta infection. Our findings also confirm that delta infection is associated with a more severe and rapidly progressive liver disease.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003673:Defective Viruses; D005260:Female; D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006511:Hepatitis B Antigens; D035923:Hepatitis delta Antigens