Clinical and serological outcome of acute delta infection.

Abstract

To assess the clinical and serological outcome of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection, 59 patients with acute delta hepatitis were followed for 6-28 months. Forty-two patients had simultaneous HDV and HBV coinfection (anti-HBc IgM-positive, group I) and 17 were HBsAg carriers with HDV superinfection (anti-HBc IgM-negative, group II). Overall, serum HD-Ag and anti-HD IgM were the most sensitive markers for diagnosis of delta infection during the first 2 weeks after onset of symptoms. The clinical presentation was similar in both groups; 4 patients (1 in group I and 3 in group II) (7%) developed fulminant hepatitis, but none of them died. The majority of patients with HBV-HDV coinfection (group I) eventually recovered, whereas all HBsAg carriers with HDV superinfection (group II) developed chronic liver disease. Liver histology in these patients showed chronic active hepatitis and/or cirrhosis in 90%. The hepatic lesion was probably due to persistent HDV infection, as indicated by the presence of intrahepatic HD-Ag and/or persistence of serum anti-HD IgM in 90% of the patients.

• Authors: M Buti, R Estebán, R Jardi, H Allende, J I Estebán, J Genesca, J Guardia
• Journal: Journal of hepatology (J Hepatol) Vol. 5 Issue 1 Pg. 59-64 (Aug 1987) ISSN: 0168-8278 [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 3655311 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Viral
• Antigens, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Immunoglobulin M

Topics

• Antibodies, Viral (analysis)
• Antigens, Viral (analysis)
• Hepatitis B (complications)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (analysis)
• Hepatitis D (complications, pathology, physiopathology)
• Hepatitis Delta Virus (immunology)
• Hepatitis, Chronic (complications)
• Humans
• Immunoglobulin M (analysis)
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Cirrhosis (complications)
• Prospective Studies
• Time Factors