Delta-hepatitis.

Investigations were conducted for serological evidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infections in children suffering from acute viral hepatitis. A total of 52 serum samples were analysed by enzyme immunoassay. Of these, 18 (24%) were positive for hepatitis B virus markers and 34 (65.4%) were negative. Delta virus infection was detected in 6/18 (33%) hepatitis B patients. A significant finding was, that of the 34 patients negative for hepatitis B, 4 (12%) were positive only for HDV although the latter can only occur as a coexistent infection with hepatitis B virus. From the present study it may be inferred that delta virus infection is prevalent in children and absence of HBV markers does not rule out hepatitis D.