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

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, = 0.000) and gender (OR = 0.24, = 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, = 0.006), the endoscopic procedure (OR = 6.54, = 0.000) and tattooing (OR = 20, = 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, = 0.000). A significant correlation was found between the positivity of anti-HDV with diabetes (OR = 6.83, = 0.000), obesity (OR = 4.19, = 0.009) and viral suppression B (OR = 5.69, = 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.