Value and Kinetics of Virological Markers in the Natural Course of Chronic Hepatitis D Virus Infection

Background and Aims

Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection can cause severe liver disease. With new treatment options available, it is important to identify patients at risk for liver-related complications. We aimed to investigate kinetics and predictive values of novel virological and immunological markers in the natural course of chronic HDV infection.

Methods

HBcrAg, HBV RNA and quantitative anti-HBc were analysed in samples from HDV-infected patients at three consecutive time points. Results were linked to clinical outcome by univariable and multivariable analyses. Primary endpoint was the composite endpoint of any liver-related event.

Results

Samples from 190 individual patients were analysed with a median clinical follow-up time of 2.69 (IQR 1.13–6.51) years. The majority of patients had cirrhosis (98/190, 52%), and the primary endpoint occurred in 33% (62/190). In univariable analysis, age, cirrhosis, lower quantitative anti-HBc, higher ratio of HBcrAg/anti-HBc and detectable HDV RNA were associated with the primary endpoint. In multivariable analysis, only the presence of liver cirrhosis (HR 7.74, p < 0.001) and age (1.06, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with the primary endpoint. Kinetics of virological parameters during follow-up were similar between the groups. Quantitative anti-HBc was significantly lower in patients with liver cirrhosis (687 (IQR 188–3388) IU/ml vs. 309 (IQR 82–924) IU/ml, p < 0.0004), and lower levels were independently associated with the development of the primary endpoint (HR 1.0, p = 0.014).

Conclusion

In chronic HDV infection, neither baseline values nor kinetics of HBV RNA, HBcrAg and anti-HBc were independently associated with clinical outcome, while stage of liver disease and age were predictors of liver-related events.