INTRODUCTION:
The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases recommends hepatitis D virus (HDV) screening in certain high-risk groups; however, the effectiveness is unknown.
METHODS:
A study of North American patients with hepatitis B (HBV) referred to the NIH was performed to identify risk factors associated with HDV infection. Active HDV was “confirmed” by serum HDV RNA or histologic HDV antigen staining.
RESULTS:
Six hundred fifty-two were studied, of which 91 were HDV “confirmed.” Independent risk factors for HDV included: intravenous drug users, HBV-DNA <2,000 IU/mL, alanine aminotransferase >40 U/L, and HDV endemic country of origin.
DISUSSION:
North American patients with HBV and significant risk factors should be screened for HDV.
