Prevalence and Clinical Characterization of Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Infection Among Sudanese Patients With Hepatitis B Virus

Background: Sudan has a high prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), exceeding 8%. The prevalence of hepatitis B varies across different regions of Sudan, ranging from 6.8% in central Sudan to as high as 26% in southern Sudan. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to various complications, including cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatitis D virus (HDV) relies on HBV for replication and can accelerate the progression of HBV-related liver diseases, leading to more severe outcomes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of HDV infection among Sudanese patients with HBV-related liver diseases and to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with HBV/HDV co-infection. Design/Method: This descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted at Ibn Sina Specialized Hospital in Sudan between June and September 2022. Ninety HBV patients aged 16 years and above were included. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, and medical histories and examinations were recorded. Investigations included liver function tests, abdominal ultrasounds, and ELISA for Ant-HDV-IgG