Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine hepatitis delta virus (HDV) seroprevalence in patients with HBsAg and to examine hepatitis B serological markers and various biochemical parameters in patients with anti-HDV.

Methods: A total of 1831 patients with HBsAg admitted to our hospital between January 2015 and December 2021 and whose samples were sent to our laboratory for anti-HDV testing were included in the study. The test results of other hepatitis B serological markers, HBV DNA, anti-HCV, and anti-HDV of the patients were examined. In addition, levels of liver transaminase, serum bilirubin and albumin, platelet count, and INR values were analyzed retrospectively from hospital records.

Results: Anti-HDV testing was positive in 3.6% of HBsAg-positive patients. The anti-HDV-positivity rate was lower in males than in females (p=0.009). There was no statistically significant difference in anti-HDV-positivity rates according to years (p>0.05). The HBV-DNA-positivity rate in anti-HDV-negative patients was higher than in anti-HDV-positive patients (p=0.001). The rate of anti-HBe-positivity in anti-HDV-negative patients was higher than in anti-HDV-positive patients (p=0.001). Platelet count and albumin values were lower in patients with delta antibodies compared to patients without delta antibodies, while INR values were higher in these patients (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Anti-HDV-positivity, which occurred at a rate of 3.6% among HBsAg-positive patients, seems to be compatible with studies conducted in our country, especially in western regions. Considering the clinical course of hepatitis D infection, it is important to screen and follow-up of patients with hepatitis B infection to manage this disease.