Mariana Vasconcelos, DhÃÆélio Batista Pereira, Raymundo ParanÃÆá R, Juan Miguel Villalobos-Salcedo
The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective RNA virus that needs the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). In Br azil, endemic areas correspond to Western Amazon States, i ncluding Rondonia state. Preliminary data shows that Hepatitis D in Brazil seems to be more se vere as compared to other regions; however, there are few studies to reinforce this observational evi dence. The current study reports results from a clinical and laboratory analysis for chronic hepati tis delta patients followed in a Hepatology outpati ent service in Brazilian Amazon Basin. We reviewed and an alyzed a series of cases for all HDV patients’ medical files from November 1993 to September 2010. All patients had positive anti-HDV IgG serology and had clinical follow-up documented in their file s. A clinical and epidemiological questionnaire was used to collect information, including laboratory a nd treatment data. Data from 141 patients was collected, but only 77 patients were selected becau se they had regular follow-up. Fifty patients (64.9 %) were male with a mean age of 32 (6 to 57 years old) and 16 patients (20%) were considered Amerindian. Leukopenia was detected in 28 patients (36.7%). ALT level was above the upper normal in more than half of the patients. Seven (16.4%) had cirrhosis, 9 (20.9%) had F0 and the rest had different stages of fibrosis in liver biopsy. Twelve patients (16%) pre sented with chronic hepatic disease without portal hypertension in Ultrasonographie. 22 (84.6%) used I nterferon as monotherapy, 3 (11.5%) used lamividine as monotherapy and 1patient received a c ombination of lamivudine with Interferon. In Amazonia, the diagnosis is often delayed and advance d liver disease observed in young patients. These results indicate an imperative requirement to intensify education and prevention campaigns focused on the early diagnosis of this neglected di sease.
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