Coinfection with hepatitis <scp>B</scp> and <scp>D</scp>: Epidemiology, prevalence and disease in patients in <scp>N</scp>orthern <scp>C</scp>alifornia

Abstract

HDV affects individuals of all ages and various ethnic groups. Although HBV viral loads are lower, rates of cirrhosis are higher in coinfected patients and higher still in the tri-infected. Our data support revising screening guidelines to advocate for all patients with HBV to be screened for HDV in order to both give the individual patient important information related to the possible need for treatment and to support the public health goal of reducing transmission by educating HDV-negative patients about the need for protection against superinfection and HDV-infected patients about the need to protect against transmission to others.