Hepatitis B and Delta in Peru: Current Status and Control

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus is a highly infectious DNA virus, and the chronic carrier status may lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. These conditions may supervene in a short time period if there is coexistence of both hepatitis B and D viruses, as it usually occurs in Peru. Our country has an intermediate endemicity, although there are areas with high, medium and low endemicity; however, migration is spreading these infections. It is important to point out that there is horizontal transmission in children from endemic areas and a low level of vertical transmission, which is an advantage in order to achieve early protection using the hepatitis B vaccine. This vaccine HBV is efficacious and safe, and vaccination is still one of the most cost-effective interventions. Pilot hepatitis B vaccination programs have been implemented in Peru, achieving a significant impact on the infection rates; so it is advisable to expand the target population, particularly teenagers and other risk groups, so that the time period to eliminate hepatitis B infection may be shortened, as well as its chronic sequels. There have been some advances in prevention, but we still have to take care of chronic carriers. Knowing that there are therapy strategies available for subjects positive and negative for HBeAg, it is advisable to propose therapy programs and to assess all interventions performed. These are the topics included in this review.