The prevalence of hepatitis delta virus infection in acute and chronic liver diseases in Turkey: an analysis of clinical studies.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to review the studies on hepatitis D virus-related liver diseases and to evaluate the national and regional outcomes in order to identify the hepatitis D virus infection in Turkey.


METHODS
This retrospective study included 2182 acute viral hepatitis, 6613 inactive HBsAg carriers, 5961 chronic hepatitis B, 1264 liver cirrhosis and 748 hepatocellular carcinoma cases, who were evaluated for anti-hepatitis D virus positivity at several centers in Turkey since 1980's. ELISA method was used and the results were statistically evaluated.


RESULTS
The anti-hepatitis D virus positivity was 3.0% in 1416 acute viral hepatitis and 8.1% in 766 acute hepatitis B cases. This ratio was significantly higher in Diyarbakir than in Istanbul and Ankara for acute viral hepatitis (p<0.001). The mean anti-hepatitis D virus was 4.9% in inactive HBsAg carriers and significantly decreased from 1980 to 2005 (4.1% and 2.9%, respectively p<0.001). The anti- hepatitis D virus was 20% in chronic hepatitis B and 32.5% in liver cirrhosis cases. The positivity were significantly lower in Istanbul and Izmir compared to Diyarbakr and Van (p<0.001). Antihepatitis D virus positivity was decreased in all regions for the last two decades (p<0.001). The rates decreased from 31% to 11% for chronic hepatitis B and from 43.3% to 24% for liver cirrhosis (p<0.001). The mean anti-hepatitis D virus was 23% in hepatocellular carcinoma cases, which was significantly lower in Istanbul and Izmir compared to Diyarbakr and Elaz currency (p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The hepatitis D virus infection is a critical problem in our country, particularly in the Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia. In recent years, the hepatitis D virus infection is decreasing countrywise, however the rate still remains to be critical.
Değertekin
Halil
H
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakir, Turkey. hdegertekin@hotmail.com
Yalçin
Kendal
K
Yakut
Mustafa
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000821:virology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000821:virology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000821:virology*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens