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ABSTRACT: Background
Since few data are available in the literature on the prevalence of anti-Delta-positive subjects in immigrant populations, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the demographic and virological characteristics of HDV infection in a large cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy.Methods
Between January 2012 and February 2020 all immigrants attending one of the 5 first- level centers were enrolled and screened for HBsAg, the HBsAg-positive for anti-Delta and if positive, for HDV-RNA and HDV genotype.Results
Of the 3521 immigrants observed in the study period, 3417 (97.0%) agreed to be screened; they were mainly males (61%), with a median age of 27 years (IQR 8-74) and came prevalently (58%) from sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 3417 patients enrolled, 319 (9%) subjects were HBsAg-positive, and of those, 8 (2.5%) were anti-Delta-positive. No difference in the demographic and epidemiological characteristics was observed between the anti-Delta-negative vs -positive. Of the 8 anti-Delta-positive subjects, only one was HDV-RNA-positive (viral load: 7050 IU/mL), genotype 1, with clinical signs of cirrhosis.Conclusions
the present study showed a prevalence of HDV of 2.5% in a large cohort of asymptomatic immigrants, suggesting the need for screening campaigns for viral infections including delta hepatitis in this population.
SUBMITTER: Pisaturo M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9554856 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Pisaturo Mariantonietta M Alessio Loredana L Di Fraia Alessandra A Macera Margherita M Minichini Carmine C Cordua Emanuele E Onorato Lorenzo L Scotto Gaetano G Di Caprio Giovanni G Calò Federica F Sagnelli Caterina C Coppola Nicola N
Infection 20221012 6
<h4>Background</h4>Since few data are available in the literature on the prevalence of anti-Delta-positive subjects in immigrant populations, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the demographic and virological characteristics of HDV infection in a large cohort of immigrants living in southern Italy.<h4>Methods</h4>Between January 2012 and February 2020 all immigrants attending one of the 5 first- level centers were enrolled and screened for HBsAg, the HBsAg-positive for anti-Delta and i ...[more]