Epidemiology of hepatitis D virus coinfection among HBsAg-positive individuals in Kermanshah, Western Iran

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection occurring in the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is associated with severe liver disease, cirrhosis, and risk of liver cancer. Despite its clinical importance, data on the prevalence of HDV among HBV-infected individuals in western Iran, especially in Kermanshah, remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HDV infection among HBsAg-positive patients using ELISA. Methods: This study included all HBsAg-positive patients referred to the Kermanshah Reference Laboratory during the first half of 2023. Demographic variables, liver enzymes, and HBV serological markers were collected. HDV-Ab testing was performed using commercial ELISA kits. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20, and statistical tests were applied to assess associations between HDV positivity and clinical or demographic variables. Results: A total of 284 HBsAg-positive patients were included. Mean ALT and AST levels were 27.2±41.8 U/L and 29.2±18 U/L, respectively. HBeAg and HBeAb were positive in 81% of patients. HDV-Ab positivity was observed in 12 individuals (4.2%). No significant associations were found between HDV infection and age, sex, ALT, AST, HBeAg status, or HBeAb status. Conclusion: The prevalence of HDV infection among HBsAg-positive patients was relatively low and showed no statistically significant association with demographic factors or routine laboratory markers.”We would also kindly request the same correction to be applied in the German abstract, replacing “keine Assoziationen” with “keine statistisch signifikanten Assoziationen” to accurately reflect the statistical analysis.