Detection of Hepatitis D Virus: Performance in the Community.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Hepatitis D virus may cause a disease at various severities in the presence of hepatitis B virus, using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) on the external envelope in its replication process. Thus, people identified with HBsAg in blood tests should also be tested for hepatitis D virus.

OBJECTIVES:

To describe the situation of performance of blood tests for detection of hepatitis D virus in patients positive for hepatitis surface antigen during 9 years in a population with heterogeneous origins in the north region of Israel.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective study using the database of Clalit Health Services.

RESULTS:

We found 3367 people were positive for HBsAg during the study period; 613 (18%) were tested for hepatitis D. People who tested for hepatitis D were younger (47.3 ± 15 years vs. 50.5) and showed a higher rate of visiting the gastroenterology clinic (80.6% vs. 41%). The rate of positive blood tests for hepatitis D was too small for analysis, but it still demonstrated tendency for higher rates in the Ethiopian Jewish group.

CONCLUSIONS:

The recommendation for performance of blood test for hepatitis D virus was followed to a small extent. Considering the ethnic diversity of the population in Israel, activities to raise rates of performance should be considered.

• Authors: Sophia Eilat-Tsanani, Amal Zoubi, Rawi Hazzan
• Journal: The Israel Medical Association journal : IMAJ (Isr Med Assoc J) Vol. 24 Issue 8 Pg. 529-532 (Aug 2022) ISSN: 1565-1088 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 35972014 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Topics

• Hepatitis B (diagnosis, epidemiology)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis B virus
• Hepatitis D
• Hepatitis Delta Virus
• Humans
• Retrospective Studies