INCIDENCE OF ANTIBODIES TO DELTA-VIRUS IN PATIENTS WITH HBSAG-POSITIVE HEPATITIS

Patients with HBsAg-positive hepatitis were screened for antibodies to HDV and HCV. The incidence of anti-HDV was 12.5% in a sample of 265 p atients. The values differed appreciably in men and women, patients wi th chronic and acute hepatitis, narcomaniacs and subjects taking no na rcotics. Antibodies to HDV were more incident in anti-HCV-positive tha n in anti-HCV-negative patients. The age-specific Structure of the sam pling has been analyzed and the distribution of HDV, HCV, narcomania, and chronic hepatitis markers for age groups has been determined. A hi gh incidence of mixed (double and triple) infections with hepatotropic viruses has been revealed.