[Delta infection in HBsAg carriers].

Anti-delta as an indicator of chronic delta infection was found in 7/180 HBsAg carriers. This indicates a low incidence of delta infection in Germany. The following risk factors to acquire delta infection were established: Mediterranean origin (3 cases) and transfusion of blood products (4 hemophiliacs). All anti-delta positive individuals had a biopsy proven chronic active hepatitis and the serological pattern: HBsAg, anti-HBc and anti-HBe positive without indicators of Dane particle synthesis (negative tests for HBeAg and DNA polymerase activity).