Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania
Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed. Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable popul...
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2024-12-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/52 |
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| author | Liana Gheorghe Speranta Iacob Irma Eva Csiki Mihaela Ghioca Razvan Iacob Ileana Constantinescu Bogdan Chiper Laura Huiban Cristina Muzica Irina Girleanu Nicoleta Tiuca Sorina Diaconu Daniela Larisa Sandulescu Ion Rogoveanu Andra Iulia Suceveanu Florentina Furtunescu Corina Pop Anca Trifan |
| author_facet | Liana Gheorghe Speranta Iacob Irma Eva Csiki Mihaela Ghioca Razvan Iacob Ileana Constantinescu Bogdan Chiper Laura Huiban Cristina Muzica Irina Girleanu Nicoleta Tiuca Sorina Diaconu Daniela Larisa Sandulescu Ion Rogoveanu Andra Iulia Suceveanu Florentina Furtunescu Corina Pop Anca Trifan |
| author_sort | Liana Gheorghe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed. Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance. Results: Among 6813 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals, HDV antibody prevalence was 4.87%, with active replication confirmed in 75.6% of HDV-positive cases. Regional disparities emerged, with higher HDV prevalence and replication rates in the Eastern region compared to the South. HDV-positive individuals were more likely to be younger, male, and from rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Clinically, HDV co-infection correlated with increased liver stiffness, advanced fibrosis stages, and lower steatosis levels compared to HBV mono-infection. Psychiatric comorbidities were more prevalent among HDV-positive patients, highlighting the need for integrated care. Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, including enhanced screening, education, and access to novel antiviral therapies like bulevirtide to address the significant burden of HBV/HDV co-infection in Romania. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-17cfd0c1db9447e3af1959070abd4fe0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1999-4915 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Viruses |
| spelling | doaj-art-17cfd0c1db9447e3af1959070abd4fe02025-01-24T13:52:24ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152024-12-011715210.3390/v17010052Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in RomaniaLiana Gheorghe0Speranta Iacob1Irma Eva Csiki2Mihaela Ghioca3Razvan Iacob4Ileana Constantinescu5Bogdan Chiper6Laura Huiban7Cristina Muzica8Irina Girleanu9Nicoleta Tiuca10Sorina Diaconu11Daniela Larisa Sandulescu12Ion Rogoveanu13Andra Iulia Suceveanu14Florentina Furtunescu15Corina Pop16Anca Trifan17Fundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaFundeni Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaFaculty of Medicine, Ovidius University, 900573 Constanta, Romania“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, RomaniaBackground: Hepatitis B (HBV) and Delta (HDV) virus infections pose critical public health challenges, particularly in Romania, where HDV co-infection is underdiagnosed. Methods: This study investigates the epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of HBV/HDV co-infection in vulnerable populations, leveraging data from the LIVE(RO2) program. Conducted between July 2021 and November 2023, the program screened 320,000 individuals across 24 counties, targeting socially disadvantaged groups such as rural residents, the Roma community, and those lacking health insurance. Results: Among 6813 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive individuals, HDV antibody prevalence was 4.87%, with active replication confirmed in 75.6% of HDV-positive cases. Regional disparities emerged, with higher HDV prevalence and replication rates in the Eastern region compared to the South. HDV-positive individuals were more likely to be younger, male, and from rural or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Clinically, HDV co-infection correlated with increased liver stiffness, advanced fibrosis stages, and lower steatosis levels compared to HBV mono-infection. Psychiatric comorbidities were more prevalent among HDV-positive patients, highlighting the need for integrated care. Conclusions: This study underscores the urgent need for targeted public health interventions, including enhanced screening, education, and access to novel antiviral therapies like bulevirtide to address the significant burden of HBV/HDV co-infection in Romania.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/52delta hepatitisvulnerable populationprevalenceadvanced fibrosis |
| spellingShingle | Liana Gheorghe Speranta Iacob Irma Eva Csiki Mihaela Ghioca Razvan Iacob Ileana Constantinescu Bogdan Chiper Laura Huiban Cristina Muzica Irina Girleanu Nicoleta Tiuca Sorina Diaconu Daniela Larisa Sandulescu Ion Rogoveanu Andra Iulia Suceveanu Florentina Furtunescu Corina Pop Anca Trifan Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania Viruses delta hepatitis vulnerable population prevalence advanced fibrosis |
| title | Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania |
| title_full | Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania |
| title_short | Unveiling Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Hepatitis D Among Vulnerable Communities in Romania |
| title_sort | unveiling prevalence risk factors and outcomes of hepatitis d among vulnerable communities in romania |
| topic | delta hepatitis vulnerable population prevalence advanced fibrosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/52 |
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