Immunohistochemical study of delta antigen in an American metropolitan population

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Abstract
— Delta antigen, a transmissible agent associated with hepatitis B virus, has been detected primarily in Italian patients. The preservation of δ‐antigen in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded liver tissue enabled us to study the prevalence of this agent in our material. Using the peroxidase‐antiperoxidase method, δ‐antigen was found in 2 of 65 consecutive biopsy specimens of patients with HBsAg‐positive liver disease. In addition, δ‐antigen was demonstrated in 2 of 14 autopsy specimens from HBsAg‐positive patients. Of the δ‐antigen‐positive patients, one was Italian, one was a polytransfused American‐born Italian and two were American homosexuals. All four δ‐Ag‐positive patients had chronic active hepatitis. In one patient, the agent persisted for 5 years while chronic active hepatitis reverted to chronic persistent hepatitis during prednisone therapy. These findings suggest that transmission of δ‐antigen follows that of hepatitis B virus infection, although it is relatively uncommon in New York City.

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