Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis delta virus in the Western Pacific region

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus requiring the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for the completion of its life cycle. Active replication of HDV can lead to severe hepatitis, and although present worldwide has an irregular geographical distribution, especially in the Asian Pacific region. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of HDV isolates in Oceania following the 1998 evaluation of the hepatitis B vaccine program. Study design: Sera collected from 184 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive Pacific Islanders living in Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia were tested for HDV RNA. Results: Twent..