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]
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). [2] 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]
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]
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.
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)