Predominance of Genotype 5 Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection in a Portuguese Hepatology Unit

Abstract

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is the most severe form of viral hepatitis. Genotype 1 (HDV-1) is by far the most prevalent in Europe and globally, while HDV-5 predominates in Western Africa. Data about HDV seroprevalence in Portugal are scarce and genotyping studies have not been performed yet. We aimed to assess the seroprevalence and genotypes of HDV in a large cohort of HBsAg-positive patients followed in our Hepatology Unit between 2012 and 2022. The anti-HDV-positive patients were subjected to a cross-sectional analysis, including blood sample collection for HDV RNA testing and genotype determination. In the cohort of HBsAg-positive patients, 57.5% (480/835) were born in African countries and 665/835 (79.6%) had been screened for anti-HDV antibodies. The HDV seroprevalence obtained was 6.5% (43/665). Twenty-one patients (age 41.2 ± 9.9 years; 57.1% male) were included in further molecular analyses. HDV RNA was positive in 8/21 (38.0%) and classified as HDV-5 in 7 patients (6 from Guinea-Bissau and 1 from Cape Verde) and HDV-1 in 1 patient (from Ukraine). In the largest and most comprehensive study performed in Portugal regarding HDV epidemiology to date, seroprevalence and genotype distribution of HDV (with predominance of HDV-5) were strongly influenced by immigration, notably from African countries.