Objective: To assess the prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in association of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) as well as to evaluate the viral load and liver function tests of HBV and HDV associated patients.

Materials & Methods: Study Design: Prospective Observational study

Setting: Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, ISRA University Hospital, Hyderabad, Pakistan

Study duration: May 2011 to October 2011.

Sample Size: A total number of 104 HBV DNA positive samples were included in this study. All the patients were of both genders with in the age between 10 to 70 years of age.

Methodology: The blood samples were collected from the different collection points in Hyderabad District and its adjacent areas (Sanghar, Shehdadpur, Kandiyaro, Dadu and Badin) 5.0ml of venous blood samples of patients was collected in serum separation tubes or in sterile tubes using EDTA as the anticoagulant.

Results: From total samples tested 71 patients of HBV positive were male and 33 patients of HBV positive were females. In male population, 68% were HBV positive while in females, 32% were HBV positive. 14 patients were from group I, 38 patients from group II, 22 patients from group III, 18 patients of group IV, 05 patients of group V and only one (01) patient of group VI. As results showed that HBV infection is highly prevalent in group II (36%) followed by 21%, 17%, 13%, 04% and 0.96% in group III, group IV, group I, group V and group VI respectively. The highest viral load 610,000 IU/ml was recorded in a 27 years old female patient. Similarly the lowest viral load (200 IU/ml) was observed in a 15 years old male patient.

Conclusions: The trend of the prevalence of HDV is decreasing globally, and this can not be controlled until the high prevalence of HBV is controlled. There is a dire need to educate public about diseases, their complications, route of transmission and risk factors in this region especially in anterior Sindh.