Low hepatitis D co-infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive blood donors in Kenya

Benard Langat; Elisha Kimutai Kutto; Anton Andonov; Jamie Borlang; Andison Bii Kipngetich; Carla Osiowy; Alex Mutai; Edward Kirwa; Sammy Kimoloi; Elijah Maritim Songok

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20250601

Authors

Benard Langat School of Health Sciences, University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya
Elisha Kimutai Kutto School of Health Sciences, University of Kabianga, Kericho, Kenya
Anton Andonov Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
Jamie Borlang Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
Andison Bii Kipngetich National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Canada
Carla Osiowy Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
Alex Mutai Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services, Nairobi, Kenya
Edward Kirwa Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
Sammy Kimoloi School of Public Health and Biomedical Science and Technology, MMUST, Kenya
Elijah Maritim Songok Kenya Medical Training College, Sigowet Campus, Kericho, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20250601

Keywords:

Blood donors, Hepatitis B virus co-infection, Hepatitis D antibodies, Hepatitis D virus

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a highly pathogenic virus, and causes rapid disease progression from fulminant hepatitis (FH) to development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, its exact global burden of HBV-HDV co-infections remains largely obscure, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anti-hepatitis delta virus (anti-HDV) in hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive blood donors from Kenya.

Methods: A total of 239 HBsAg-positive serum samples, obtained from healthy Kenyan blood donors from June 2014 to November 2017 were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. ELISA was done using the International Immunodiagnostics HDV Ab EIA kit, according to the instructions of the manufacturer, for anti-HDV immunoglobulin G (IgG) determination.

Results: Of the 239 HBsAg-positive blood donors, 187 (78.24%) were male, and 52 (21.76%) were female. The average age of the study participants was 24.11 years. Serological analysis revealed that 3/239 (1.26%) study participants were HDV seropositive.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that HDV infection is rare among blood donors in Kenya, with anti-HDV positivity rates being relatively lower compared to other countries. Nonetheless, ongoing surveillance is essential to track any potential changes in prevalence over time.

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References

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