Hep B and Deformed hepatitis virus; both antigen and antibody

I am a little confused about HDV and how it is transmitted.  As far as I am aware, HDV is inactive unless there is HBV present for replecating.  At the same time, is it or isn't it a mutation of HBV?  Hence, can we say that those w/HDV will mostlikely have HBV as well?  What is the statistics on this?

In addition, I tested (+) for HbsAg, so my physician asked me to come in later to have more tests done.  So, 2 weeks after, I tested (+) HbsAb and (-) for HbeAg.... no other tests were taken for the virus.  Liver enzymes are w/in normal limits.  Can you tell me the "chance" (statistics) of having both antigen and antibodies to the HBV?  I would like to get a second test to make sure and to get the full Viral panel... but appointments are tough to make now.

Thank you, LK

[yasserabdelghany]

[joachim2007]

i don't get it, how is that post answered?

But ok, i  notice that the post is 7 years old, so it may be not really useful to answer it right now.

But nevertheless, perhaps somebody has a similar issue, hence my answer ( I am not a doctor, but i used Schiff's liver 'bible' to extract some facts.)

1. HDV is a "defective virus": HDV can replicate autonomously, but the simulatenous presence of HBV is required for *complete* vrion assemply and secretion. To be precise, it needs the HBV to provide for the enevelope antigens. In absence of HBV, the HDV replication leads nowhere, it is abortive.

=> Therefore, due to its dependency upon HBV, the HDV infection *always* occurs in association with HBV infection.

HDV can be identified via the HDAg antigen, which elicits anti-HDV antibodies, or  via HDV RNA tests (RT-PRC).

The presence of HBsAg (Hep B surface antigen) can be checked for the definitve  confirmation of HDV infection. Because as already said: chronic HDV infection can only occurr if HBV is present. All HDV carriers are HBV carriers as well.

~~~

2. About the specific blood tests:

- first, regarding HBsAg and anti-HBs: coexistence of the both have been reported in approx. 24% of HBsAg positive individuals.

unfortuntely, in most instances, those antibodies are simply targeting wrong areas of the virus, and are unable to neutralize the circulating virions. Those persons should therefore be regarded as carriers.

However, in case the whole thing is an acute infection, there MAY be a (very) short time, when the two overlap, i.e. when HBsAg is on its way out while Anti-HBs is still kicking in. Then, one could have both in the blood, for a couple of weeks. But once one has HBsAg longer than 6 month, one has chronic HBV, despite the antibodies.

In any case, i hope Lauren received the information she needed from her doc, and that she by now is doing well, perhaps even HBV/HDV free!

Joachim

[mah5]

can hep b be completely made negative..ne research so far/..pls i tested positive in 2005..looking for some solution?