Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis delta virus infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive students and pregnant women in N'djamena, Chad
Abstract
Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection and to characterize isolates of both viruses in a Chadian population of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women and students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study using archived samples from pregnant women and students in N'djamena who had been systematically screened for HBsAg between April and August 2021. HBsAg-positive samples were tested for the presence of HDV antibodies (Ab) and were screened for the presence of both HBV and HDV (in anti-HDV Ab-positive samples) viral load estimations. Genome sequencing of the viruses was used for both genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. Results: A total of 94 participants were included in this study. The mean age was 24 ± 4.89 years (range: 18-42 years). Anti-HDV Ab were found in 9.57% (9/94) of the participants. The prevalence of anti-HDV Ab positivity among students (6.45% [4/62]) was lower than the 15.63% (5/32) observed among pregnant women. HDV-RNA was detected in 7/9 (77.77%) confirmed anti-HDV-positive participants. Most HDV-RN-positive participants had very low HBV DNA viral loads. All HBV sequences belonged to genotype E and all HDV sequences to genotype 1. Conclusions: Hepatitis D is a potential public health challenge in Chad, which requires active surveillance and public education in the country for proper control. This surveillance should be supported with mass immunization against HBV.
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BibTeX
@article{debsikreo2026prevalence,
title = {{Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis delta virus infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive students and pregnant women in N'djamena, Chad}},
author = {Nalda Debsikréo and Maire Dehainsala and Odan Debsikréo and Nafissatou Leye and Gora Lo and Aminata Dia and Makoutchouang Nzonde Biscotine Flore and Ndeye Aminata Diaw and Ndeye Dieynaba Diouf and Isaac Darko Otchere and Rayana Maryse Toyé and Isabelle Chemin and Ali Mahamat Moussa and Ndèye Coumba Toure-Kane and Françoise Lunel-Fabiani},
journal = {IJID Regions},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100560},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05840913v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Prevalence and molecular characterization of hepatitis delta virus infection among hepatitis B virus surface antigen positive students and pregnant women in N'djamena, Chad
AU - Nalda Debsikréo
AU - Maire Dehainsala
AU - Odan Debsikréo
AU - Nafissatou Leye
AU - Gora Lo
AU - Aminata Dia
AU - Makoutchouang Nzonde Biscotine Flore
AU - Ndeye Aminata Diaw
AU - Ndeye Dieynaba Diouf
AU - Isaac Darko Otchere
AU - Rayana Maryse Toyé
AU - Isabelle Chemin
AU - Ali Mahamat Moussa
AU - Ndèye Coumba Toure-Kane
AU - Françoise Lunel-Fabiani
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/27
JO - IJID Regions
DO - 10.1016/j.ijregi.2024.100560
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05840913v1
AB - Objectives: This study sought to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-hepatitis D virus (HDV) co-infection and to characterize isolates of both viruses in a Chadian population of HBV surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women and students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study using archived samples from pregnant women and students in N'djamena who had been systematically screened for HBsAg between April and August 2021. HBsAg-positive samples were tested for the presence of HDV antibodies (Ab) and were screened for the presence of both HBV and HDV (in anti-HDV Ab-positive samples) viral load estimations. Genome sequencing of the viruses was used for both genotyping and phylogenetic analysis. Results: A total of 94 participants were included in this study. The mean age was 24 ± 4.89 years (range: 18-42 years). Anti-HDV Ab were found in 9.57% (9/94) of the participants. The prevalence of anti-HDV Ab positivity among students (6.45% [4/62]) was lower than the 15.63% (5/32) observed among pregnant women. HDV-RNA was detected in 7/9 (77.77%) confirmed anti-HDV-positive participants. Most HDV-RN-positive participants had very low HBV DNA viral loads. All HBV sequences belonged to genotype E and all HDV sequences to genotype 1. Conclusions: Hepatitis D is a potential public health challenge in Chad, which requires active surveillance and public education in the country for proper control. This surveillance should be supported with mass immunization against HBV.
SN - 2772-7076
SN - 2772-7076
ER -