[Role of delta infection in fulminant course of viral hepatitis].

Sera from 35 fulminant hepatitis patients admitted to the hospital at the USSR AMS Research Institute of Virology in 1985-1989 were studied for specific markers of NB and delta infection. Delta-infection as etiological factor of the disease proved in 26 patients (74.3%). Acute hepatitis of mixed etiology (HBV and HDV) occurred in 17, acute hepatitis delta in 9 patients carrying chronically HBsAg. Acute hepatitis B was verified in the rest 9 patients. Clinical, biochemical and serological aspects typical for the variety of etiological variants of hepatitis running a fulminant course are considered.