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. 2024 Sep 23;230(3):e679-e683.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae023.

Growing Awareness: Limited Testing and Screening Bias for Hepatitis Delta Virus in Utah 2000-2021

Matthew C Hesterman  1 , Braden S Fallon  1 , Keisa M Lynch  2 , Melodie L Weller  1   3
Affiliations

Growing Awareness: Limited Testing and Screening Bias for Hepatitis Delta Virus in Utah 2000-2021

Matthew C Hesterman et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) within the University of Utah UHealth health care system (2000-2021).

Methods: Analysis of HDV/HBV testing, diagnostic codes, liver enzymes, and comorbidities was performed.

Results: Among the 1962 HBV patients, only 22.2% underwent HDV testing, revealing an 8.3% positivity rate for HDV coinfections. This study observed a consistent increase in HBV and HDV cases, with higher HDV detection rates linked to increased testing. Limited HDV testing and potential screening biases were evident.

Discussion: Improved HDV testing and surveillance are crucial for early detection and implementation of targeted therapies.

Keywords: hepatitis B virus; hepatitis D virus; hepatitis delta virus.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potential conflicts of interest. M. L. W. and K. M. L. have current funding from Gilead Sciences, Inc. All other authors report no potential conflicts. All authors have submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Conflicts that the editors consider relevant to the content of the manuscript have been disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
HBV and HDV cases and testing overview, 2000–2021. Yearly distribution of HBV cases (A) and HDV cases (B) according to the defined cohort criteria (see “Methods” section). Yearly HDV tests (C) incorporate any patient tested for HDV antigen, HDV antibody, or HDV RNA. Race/ethnicity associations with HDV testing (D) and HDV positivity (E). Abbreviations: CI, confidence interval; HBV, hepatitis B virus; HDV, hepatitis delta virus; OR, odds ratio; PI, Pacific Islander. *P < 0.05, ***P < 0.001.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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