Hepatitis D overview
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Hepatitis D |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Hepatitis D overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hepatitis D overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: João André Alves Silva, M.D. [2] Jolanta Marszalek, M.D. [3]
Overview
Hepatitis D is a disease caused by a small circular RNA virus (Hepatitis delta virus or hepatitis D virus, HDV). HDV is considered to be a subviral satellite because it can propagate only in the presence of another virus, the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Transmission of HDV can occur either via simultaneous infection with HBV (coinfection) or via infection of an individual previously infected with HBV (superinfection). [4] Both superinfection and coinfection with HDV results in more severe complications compared to infection with HBV alone. These complications include a greater likelihood of experiencing liver failure in acute infections and a greater likelihood of developing liver cancer in chronic infections. In combination with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D has the highest mortality rate of all the hepatitis infections of 20%.
Historical Perspective
The hepatitis D virus was first reported in mid-1977 by an italian researcher, Mario Rizzetto. [1]
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Hepatitis D from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
HDV is rare in most developed countries, and is mostly associated with intravenous drug abuse. However HDV is much more common in Mediterranean countries, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and countries in the northern part of South America.[2] In all, about 20 million people may be infected with HDV.[3]
Risk Factors
Screening
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Diagnostic Studies
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Prevention
Protection against hepatitis D among drug users can be accomplished by vaccinating against hepatitis B. Since HDV infection requires that the person be co-infected with HBV, vaccinating against hepatitis B also confers immunity to hepatitis D. Some 3 to 4 percent of healthy recipients have no response to the hepatitis B vaccine.
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
References
- ↑ Manuale di Gastroenterologia Unigastro pag. 260
- ↑ Radjef N, Gordien E, Ivaniushina V; et al. (2004). "Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate a wide and ancient radiation of African hepatitis delta virus, suggesting a deltavirus genus of at least seven major clades". J. Virol. 78 (5): 2537–44. doi:10.1128/JVI.78.5.2537-2544.2004. PMC 369207. PMID 14963156. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help) - ↑ Taylor JM (2006). "Hepatitis delta virus". Virology. 344 (1): 71–6. doi:10.1016/j.virol.2005.09.033. PMID 16364738. Unknown parameter
|month=ignored (help)