title: Prevalence of hepatitis d infection in patients with hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases in Accra, Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis D virus (HDV), a defective RNA virus which depends on hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication and expression, appears to be highly pathogenic and modifies the natural history of HBV infection. Two types of infection, co-infection and super-infection are recognised. During infection, anti-delta antibodies appear in serum and can be detected by Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We determined the prevalence of hepatitis D infection amongst HBsAg-positive patients with HBV-related liver diseases in Accra, Ghana using an Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected blood samples from 53 patients with hepatitis B-related liver diseases. The sera were analysed using a commercially available kit, the EIA-ANTI-HDV, a third generation ELISA kit (Globe Diagnostics, Italy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 39 males (73.6%) and 14 females (26.4%) giving a male:female ratio of about 3:1.The mean age of patients was 38.6 years (range, 15-75). Six patients were reactive for anti-delta antibodies, yielding a HDV sero-prevalence of 11.3%. A higher proportion of males were anti-HDV positive (9.4%) compared to females (1.9%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.350). Anti-HDV was detected in 4(22.2%) patients with chronic hepatitis B, 1(7.6%) with cirrhosis of the liver and 1(5.3%) with hepatocellular carcinoma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of HDV infection amongst patients with liver disease in Accra with HBV-related liver diseases appears to be high compared to developed countries but similar to several developing countries. No significant difference exists in gender prevalences. A concerted public health effort is required to reduce this high prevalence rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana.
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Asmah
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Boamah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Afodzinu
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brandful
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Adjei
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adiku
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gyasi
authors.forename: E K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Wiredu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens