Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Finster, L.
Hepatitis D Epidemiology in Styria
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp. 46
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Kessler Harald
- Stauber Rudolf
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background and Aim of the Study: Hepatitis D is considered to be the most severe form of infectious hepatitis; worldwide more than 15 million hepatis B antigen (HBsAg) carrier show antibodies against hepatitis D virus (HDV). For Styria, there is no reliable data on HDV prevalence available. The aim of this retrospective epidemiological analysis was to provide data on all outpatients at the Medical University of Graz with hepatitis D from 2010 onwards. The number of these patients was correlated to that of HBsAg-positive Styrian patients. Materials and Methods: In this study, all patients with detectable plasma HDV RNA reported at the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Medical University of Graz within the period Jan 01, 2010 through Dec 31, 2022 were included. HDV RNA was extracted from plasma samples on the automated eMAG® platform (bioMerieux) followed by amplification and quantitation on the LightCycler® 480 II (Roche) instrument by using the RoboGene HDV Quantification Kit 2.0 (RoboGene). Results: A total of 12 HDV-RNA positive patients living in Styria were identified, with 7 of them being outpatients at Medical University of Graz. Two of these seven patients deceased due to liver failure, another one moved to Carinthia. Of the remaining 4 patients, one is receiving anti-HDV therapy with Bulevirtide from June 2022 onwards. A significant decrease of plasma viral load (HDV-RNA) and aminotransferase ALT was observed. Conclusion: Currently, the number of patients positive for HDV RNA living in Styria is low; however, the majority of patients with chronic hepatitis D suffers from advanced chronic liver disease. With the novel therapeutical approaches, it is of paramount importance to test all HbsAg carriers for of HDV coinfection and start anti-HDV therapy as soon as possible.