Immunohistochemical research of HDV infection in Chinese patients with chronic liver disease.

The prevalence of HDAg in the liver of Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma was determined using direct immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase. Overall, 6 patients (6.31%) out of 95 HBsAg carriers with inflammatory liver disease and neoplasia were found to be HDAg positive. HDAg was detected in the livers of 6 (7.59%) out of 79 chronic hepatitis patients. The relative frequency of HDAg in cirrhosis-B, CAH-B and CPH-B was 14.3%, 7.1%, and 5.89%, respectively. These results suggest that a sizeable number of HBsAg carriers are also carriers of HDV. In view of the large number of HBV carriers in China, the relatively minor but distinct presence of HDV represents an important health problem.