Serological markers of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection were found in 18 (12%) of 146 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B, and the characteristics of patients who had antibody to HDV (anti-HDV-positive) were analyzed. During one to 15 years of follow-up, histological deterioration was documented in 77% of anti-HDV-positive patients; however, in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers without HDV infection, histology deteriorated in 30% but improved or remained unchanged in the majority of patients (P less than .01). In seven (70%) of the 10 anti-HDV-positive patients who showed transition from chronic active hepatitis to cirrhosis, this event was observed within the first two years of follow-up. The probability of evolution to cirrhosis was significantly higher in anti-HDV-positive patients than in patients without antibody to HDV (P less than .001). These findings indicate that HDV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B is associated with a more-rapid progression to cirrhosis compared with HBsAg carriers with chronic hepatitis and no evidence of HDV infection.
Influence of hepatitis delta virus infection on progression to cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis type B
FATTOVICH, Giovanna;
1987-01-01
Abstract
Serological markers of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection were found in 18 (12%) of 146 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis B, and the characteristics of patients who had antibody to HDV (anti-HDV-positive) were analyzed. During one to 15 years of follow-up, histological deterioration was documented in 77% of anti-HDV-positive patients; however, in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers without HDV infection, histology deteriorated in 30% but improved or remained unchanged in the majority of patients (P less than .01). In seven (70%) of the 10 anti-HDV-positive patients who showed transition from chronic active hepatitis to cirrhosis, this event was observed within the first two years of follow-up. The probability of evolution to cirrhosis was significantly higher in anti-HDV-positive patients than in patients without antibody to HDV (P less than .001). These findings indicate that HDV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis B is associated with a more-rapid progression to cirrhosis compared with HBsAg carriers with chronic hepatitis and no evidence of HDV infection.
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