Hepatitis D | |
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Other names | Hepatitis delta |
Specialty | Gastroenterology, infectious disease |
Symptoms | Feeling tired, nausea and vomiting[1] |
Complications | Cirrhosis[1] |
Causes | Hepatitis D virus[1] |
Diagnostic method | Immunoglobulin G[2] |
Treatment | Antivirals, pegylated interferon alpha[2] |
Medication | Bulevirtide |
Hepatitis D is a type of viral hepatitis[3] caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV).[4][5] HDV is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. HDV is considered to be a satellite (a type of subviral agent) because it can propagate only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV).[6] Transmission of HDV can occur either via simultaneous infection with HBV (coinfection) or superimposed on chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis B carrier state (superinfection).
HDV infecting a person with chronic hepatitis B (superinfection) is considered the most serious type of viral hepatitis due to its severity of complications.[7] These complications include a greater likelihood of experiencing liver failure in acute infections and a rapid progression to liver cirrhosis, with an increased risk of developing liver cancer in chronic infections.[8] In combination with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis D has the highest fatality rate of all the hepatitis infections, at 20%. A recent estimate from 2020 suggests that currently 48 million people are infected with this virus.[9]
Hepatitis D | |
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Synonym | Delta hepatitis |
Type of Virus | ssRNA |
Incubation Period | 2–12 weeks |
Transmission | Parenteral |
Carrier State | Yes |
Immunity
Passive immunization Active immunization |
Hyperimmune globulin
Vaccine (hepatitis B) |