[Detection rate of antibodies against delta virus among HBsAg carriers in a region with moderate prevalence of hepatitis B].

Radioimmunoassay and enzyme-immunoassay were used to study the detection rates of HBsAg and anti-Delta in blood donors and subjects at high risk of infection with hepatitis B (HB) in the Byelorussian SSR. The republic was found to belong to the region with a moderate prevalence of HB and low prevalence of delta-virus infection. The detection rate of anti-delta antibodies in individual population groups depends on the level of HBsAg carrier state and is closely associated with prolonged treatment in medical institutions. Patients with tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis of the liver are important reservoirs of HB and delta-virus infection for a region with moderate prevalence of HB virus and low prevalence of delta-virus. Infection with delta-virus is very important in unfavourable outcomes of acute and chronic viral hepatitides in the region.