Vietnam Implements Hepatitis D Screening for the First Time to Global Standards
Stanford collaboration paves the way for new diagnostic and treatment drug access
A crucial study regarding Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV), titled HEP-D, is being executed in Vietnam, adhering to international standards. HDV is a dangerous virus that only infects individuals already carrying Hepatitis B Virus (HBV). This co-infection accelerates the progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer by 2 to 3 times. Vietnam currently has approximately 10 million people with Hepatitis B, yet most patients have never been screened for HDV.
The HEP-D study is one of four key collaboration projects signed in 2023 between the Tam Anh Research Institute and the Stanford Center for Viral Dynamics and Microbiology Research (USA). This is the largest, first-of-its-kind multi-center study on HDV in Vietnam, implemented at Tam Anh General Hospital Hanoi, Tam Anh General Hospital HCMC, and Bach Mai Hospital.
The research is scheduled to run from November 2025 to July 2026. Beginning November 25, the three hospitals will commence patient recruitment. Eligible participants are patients aged 16 years and older who have been diagnosed with chronic Hepatitis B.
To conduct the research according to international standards, the Tam Anh Research Institute and Hospital System invested in specialized equipment. The Stanford Center directly provided training on HDV testing techniques following the “Stanford standard” for the medical team. The core technique utilized is Q-MAC, which employs the BioDot and Odyssey DLx systems (USA). This assay uses the quantitative microarray antibody capture method to detect Ig-G antibodies against the HDV virus.
The Tam Anh Research Institute is fully sponsoring the cost for the first nearly 2,500 testing cases to encourage patients to participate in screening. The study aims to provide co-infected patients with an opportunity for early detection and proactive prevention against rapid progression to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Furthermore, the HEP-D study serves as an opportunity for Vietnam to standardize the Hepatitis D screening process, enhance diagnostic capabilities, and prepare to potentially receive newly developed HDV treatment drugs.
