Epidemiology of delta agent infection in Arabia: geographical distribution and prevalence of anti-delta.

The epidemiology of infection with the recently discovered delta (delta) agent was assessed in Saudi Arabia from the prevalence of antibody to delta (anti-delta) in 488 HBsAg-seropositive subjects from various regions of the country. In the Riyadh area, anti-delta was prevalent in 22.2% of chronic hepatitis B patients compared to 7.9% and 6.7% in active hepatitis B patients and HBsAg carriers, respectively. Anti-delta was also prevalent in HBsAg carriers from Al-Hafouf (5.3%) and Najran (9.6%), but no anti-delta was detected in 40 HBsAg-positive polytransfused thalassemics and in 145 HBsAg carriers from Jaizan and Khaiber. It seems that delta infection is present in only certain regions of Saudi Arabia, and infection is possibly transmitted parenterally in these populations.