Carlo Maria Guastoni Author

Research Article Open Access

Prevalence and Significance of Anti-HDV Antibodies in HBsAg-Negative Subjects

Author(s):

Massimo De Paschale, Maria Teresa Manco, Luisa Belvisi, Carlo Magnani, Tiziana Re, Paolo Viganò, Francesca Capelli, Antonino Mazzone, Maria Pia Baldacci, Anna Lisa Neri, Carlo Maria Guastoni, Giovanna Lunghi, Pierangelo Clerici

Objective: The presence of anti-HDV antibodies in HBsAg-positive subjects suggests HBV/HDV co-infection. Anti-HDV antibodies may remain after recovery and the disappearance of HBsAg, but active HDV and/or HCV infections can also sometimes decrease HBsAg production. However, there are few epidemiological data concerning anti-HDV antibodies in HBsAg-negative subjects. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of anti- HDV antibodies in HBsAg-negative subjects with other markers of HBV infection in an urban area of northern Italy in order to evaluate their significance in the presence/absence of HCV, and to contribute to HDV epidemiology by comparing the results with those obtained in a previous study of HBsAg-positive subjects in the same area.

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