Burden and Clinical Impact of Hepatitis D Virus Co-Infection Among HBsAg-Positive Patients in Mauritania

HBV/HDV co-infection is highly prevalent in Mauritania and is associated with a wide clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to decompensated cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. HDV co-infection is the principal driver of severe liver disease, often occurring despite low or undetectable HBV DNA levels. Systematic HDV screening among all HBsAg-positive individuals is urgently needed to improve risk stratification, guide therapeutic decisions, and reduce liver-related morbidity and mortality.