Hepatitis d virus and human immunodeficiency virus antibodies in parenteral drug abusers who are hepatitis b surface antigen positive

We studied unselected, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive parenteral drug abusers for antibody to hepatitis D virus (anti-HD) and antibody to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The prevalences of anti-HD and antibody to HIV were 67% and 58%, respectively, and there was no association between positivity for these two markers. In a logistic regression model, anti-HD was associated with older age (P =.001), longer duration of drug abuse (P =.045), and the presence of liver disease (P =.002). Antibody to HIV was associated with a younger age (P =.003) and increased serum globulin levels (P <.001). In patients infected with HIV, the severity of hepatic dysfunction remained correlated with anti-HD. In anti-HD-positive patients, most indices of hepatic dysfunction were similar whether or not antibody to HIV was present, but serum aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher in patients with both anti-HD and antibody to HIV (124 ± 16 vs. 74 ± 11, P <.05).