Haut Niveau de Réplication du Virus de l’Hépatite Delta chez les Patients Co-Infectés par le Virus de l’Hépatite Delta et le Virus de l’Hépatite B au Centre Pasteur du Cameroun: High Level of Hepatitis Delta Virus Replication in Patients Co-Infected with Hepatitis Delta Virus and Hepatitis B Virus at the Centre Pasteur of Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection is described as the most serious and rapidly progressive form of chronic viral hepatitis, with an increased risk of progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In Cameroon, the prevalence of HDV infection remains high, at around 50% in the eastern and southern regions. The aim was to describe the characteristics of biochemical and molecular markers in patients infected with VHD at the Centre Pasteur du Cameroun (CPC). Material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analytical study of patient records registered in the Laboratory Information System (LIS) of the CPC from September 2023 to July 2024. Patients who had undergone a VHD viral load (CVVHD) were included in our study. Statistical analyses were performed using R software version 4.0.5. Results: A total of 91 results were available for patients who had undergone CVVHD.  The median age [IQR] was 37 [29;46] years. Men were the most represented (n=58; 63.7%) with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.8. CVVHD was detectable in 36/91 (39.6%) of patients. The median [IQR] CVVHD was 46602 [8809 ; 677938]IU/mL. Of these, 15/36 (41.7%) had a CVVHD greater than or equal to 100,000 IU/mL. The median [IQR] HBV viral load was 188 [41; 420] IU/mL. Median [IQR] ALT and ASAT were 52 [33;75] IU/L and 52 [25;56] IU/L respectively. Conclusion: CVVHD was detectable in 40% of patients with elevated values. CVVHB values were low, with a median of less than 2000 IU/mL, and transaminases were elevated in half the patients. This underlines the need for routine testing of all patients infected with HDV, especially if transaminases are elevated.