Objectives: To analyze the prevalence and clinical significance of HCV an HIV infections among a group of patients with chronic delta hepatitis.
Methods: We have studied the clinical and the histological activity and the serological profile the HBV DNA was analyzed by dot blot and PCR and the HDV RNA by dot blot) in 46 patients with chronic delta hepatitis. These results were correlated with HCV infection (assessed by ELISA-2, RIBA-2 and RT-PCR) and HIV infection (ELISA and immunoblot).
Results: HBV DNA and HDV RNA was detected by dot in 28.2% and 71.4% of patients respectively, and by PCR, 89.1% of patients had HBV DNA in their serum. Twenty two of 46 patients with chronic delta hepatitis were anti-HCV positives (with HCV RNA detectable in sera by RT-PCR in 19 cases). Anti-HIV positivity was detected in 19 of 46 patients. The mean aminotransferase level, histological activity and serological profile was similar in the anti-HCV positive and negative patients. Likewise, clinical and histological activity and serological profile was similar in the anti-HIV positive and negative patients.
Conclusions: Concomitant infection with HCV or HIV does not seem to significantly modify the clinical course of chronic delta hepatitis. In addition, no significant serological difference has been noted in patients with chronic delta hepatitis with anti-HIV or anti-HCV antibodies.