Low prevalence of hepatitis delta infection in Cuban HBsAg carriers: Prospect for elimination.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Infection with hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is one of the most severe hepatitis B virus (HBV) complications, with a more rapid progression to cirrhosis and an increased risk of hepatic decompensation and death. Data on HDV infection in Cuba are limited. The aims of our study were to determine the HDV prevalence in HBsAg carriers and to characterize the HDV strains circulating. The data were used to assess the possibility of HDV elimination in the Cuban HBV epidemiological setting.

Methods

Five hundred and two serum samples from the same number of HBsAg carriers collected in the period 2006-2019 from all over the country were tested for anti-HDV total antibodies. If positive, the samples were analyzed for HDV-RNA using Real-Time RT-PCR targeting the ribozyme and H

SUBMITTER: de Los Angeles Rodriguez Lay L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9928864 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature