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GI
Hepatitis D (HDV)
The hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a unique incomplete RNA virus that requires a helper virus (HBV) to replicate. Hepatitis B surface antigen provides the outer coat for HDV.
Hepatitis D infection can either occur simultaneously with acute infection with HBV or occur as a superinfection in patients who already have chronic hepatitis B. Infection with HDV may be acute and short lived or become chronic. Superinfection often causes fulminant hepatitis, and combined hepatitis B and D virus infections have a worse prognosis than hepatitis B.
Transmission:
In the United States, delta hepatitis occurs most often in parenteral
drug users, homosexual men, and hemophiliacs. Anti-HDV is found in the
serum of patients with acute and chronic infections.
Treatment:
Therapy with IFN alfa may temporarily alleviate delta hepatitis, but relapse
is common after treatment is stopped.
ACP Library on Disk 2- (c) 1997 - American College of Physicians