Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Hepatitis B Positive Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Introduction: The Prevalence of Hepatitis D Virus among Blood Donors in Port Harcourt, Nigeria is a maiden epidemiological study of Hepatitis D or delta hepatitis among the donors’ population in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Hepatitis D (Hepatitis Delta) is a disease caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). It is considered to be a sub viral satellite because it can propagate only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus. The prevalence of HDV in Port Harcourt has not been reported; hence this study, bridge that knowledge gap.

Methods: Using a qualitative cross sectional study design, a general serological screening test was performed on a total of 300 blood donors recruited; 222(74.00%) males and 78 (26.00%) females, all within 20-59years. Of this number, 86(28.70%) were positive for HBV while 214(71.30%) Hepatitis B negative served as control. Samples collected were analysed at blood bank unit of the Haematology Department of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt (RSUTH). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and anti-hepatitis D antibodies (anti-HDV) for the presence of HBV and HDV infections were detected by one step Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the detection of HDV as described by the www.elabScience.com (16).

Results: Of the 300 subjects, 86(28.6%) were positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Of these HBV positive subject, 9(10.4%) were positive for Hepatitis D virus (HDV). Age and gender of the study participants were not found to be risk factors for its prevalence (p > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the PCV of those infected when compared with the non infected group. Using Pearson correlation analysis, HDV was not found to associate significantly with PCV (r = 0.2849, p > 0.05). This study recorded HDV prevalence rate of 10.4% among the HBsAg positive blood donors.

Conclusion and Implications for Translation: There is a 10.4% prevalence of HDV among the HBsAg positive blood donors. To increase the safety level of blood products, the screening process should therefore be extended to the HDV.