Original Research

First study of hepatitis delta virus in Algeria: Seroprevalence and risk factors in Setif region (east of Algeria)

Abdelkader Gasmi, Wahiba Guenifi, Amel Ouyahia, Mounira Rais, Houda Boukhrissa, Abderahmen Hachani, Salah Mechakra, Slimen Laouamri, Abderezak Touabti, Abdelmadjid Lacheheb
Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases | Vol 34, No 1 | a110 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajid.v34i1.110 | © 2019 Abdelkader Gasmi, Wahiba Guenifi, Amel Ouyahia, Mounira Rais, Houda Boukhrissa, Abderahmen Hachani, Salah Mechakra, Slimen Laouamri, Abderezak Touabti, Abdelmadjid Lacheheb | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 28 May 2019 | Published: 23 October 2019

About the author(s)

Abdelkader Gasmi, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Wahiba Guenifi, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Amel Ouyahia, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Mounira Rais, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Houda Boukhrissa, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Abderahmen Hachani, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Salah Mechakra, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Slimen Laouamri, Division of Epidemiology Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, South Africa
Abderezak Touabti, Division of Microbiology Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria
Abdelmadjid Lacheheb, Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University Ferhat Abbes Setif, Setif, Algeria

Abstract

Background: No recent data are available on hepatitis delta virus (HDV) prevalence in Algeria. For this reason we conducted an epidemiological study, cross-sectional seroprevalence of HDV in the region of Setif.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2014, sera samples of 500 patients (carrying HBsAg) admitted to the Division of Infectious Diseases Teaching Hospital, Setif (east of Algeria), were tested for anti-HDV-IgG ab (ETI-AB-DeltaK-2).

Results: The prevalence of HDV obtained is estimated at 2.4%. The prevalence ranges from 1% in chronic hepatitis to 11.1% in cirrhotic hepatitis (low endemic area). Seropositivity rate is closely correlated with age (Odds ratio [OR] = 9.98, p = 0.000) and gender (OR = 0.24, p = 0.025); it reaches 58.3% in the age group of 51–60 years and 0% in children (age group 1–15 years); it represents 75% in females and 25% in males. The presence of familial cases of HBsAg positive (OR = 4.54, p = 0.006), the endoscopic procedure (OR = 6.54, p = 0.000) and tattooing (OR = 20, p = 0.000) were found to be the transmission risk factors. A statistically significant relationship was found between the positivity of anti-HDV and advanced liver disease, cirrhosis (OR = 9. 16, p = 0.000). A significant correlation was found between the positivity of anti-HDV with diabetes (OR = 6.83, p = 0.000), obesity (OR = 4.19, p = 0.009) and viral suppression B (OR = 5.69, p = 0.003).

Conclusion: Our results show that HDV infection is low in Algeria. Research for total anti-HDV should be part of the initial assessment of patient care with viral hepatitis B as well as the prevalence of other viruses (hepatitis C [HCV] and HIV). A multicentre study should be carried out to know the importance of HDV infection and identify the risk groups.


Keywords

Hepatitis Delta Virus; prevalence; risk factors; Setif; Algeria.

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