Significance of delta agent infection in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: A study in British carriers

Delta antigen (δ) is a transmissible agent requiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its replication. Antibody to δ (anti-δ) was present in nine of 71 (13%) British HBV carriers: six were intravenous drug abusers and two were haemophiliacs. Anti-δ was negative in 30 HBsAg positive homosexuals. Cirrhosis was common in patients with anti-δ and those with anti-δ positive cirrhosis were significantly younger than those with anti-δ negative cirrhosis. In British HBV carriers δ infection is associated with intravenous drug abuse and haemophilia and perhaps a more rapid progression of chronic liver disease.