Objective: Hepatitis delta virus is a defective RNA virus that can cause infection in the presence of hepatitis B. This virus has recently been reclassified into Kolmioviridae family. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of hepatitis delta virus in HBsAg positive patients in Ankara region.

Methods: A total of 6817 HBsAg positive patients who applied to Infectious Diseases and Gastroenterology clinics between February 2019 and September 2022 and whose blood samples were sent to Microbiology Laboratory for anti-HDV study were retrospectively included in this study. The demographic data and hepatitis B serological markers (HBsAg, anti-HBc IgM) were obtained from the hospital information system. HBsAg and anti-HBc IgM tests were studied by the chemiluminescence method, and anti-HDV total test by the micro-ELISA method, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. HDV RNA was analyzed by real-time PCR.

Results: Total Anti-HDV was positive in 186 (2.7%) patients with hepatitis B infection. PCR was studied in 108 patients and HDV RNA was positive in 54 patients. HDV RNA and anti-HDV total together were positive in 54 patients.

Conclusion: In our Ankara-based study, the seroprevalence of hepatitis delta virus was found to be 2.7%. Considering the morbidity and mortality of delta hepatitis, all patients with positive HBsAg should be tested for anti-HDV as a reflex test, regardless of the clinical status of patients.