Abstract: Chronic hepatitis D is a disease caused by persistent infection with hepatitis D (delta) virus (HDV), a defective RNA virus that requires the helper function of hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV is acquired by co-infection with HBV or by superinfection of an HBsAg carrier. Chronic hepatitis D almost invariably results from acute HDV superinfection of a chronic HBsAg carrier, which progresses to chronic hepatitis in over 90% of cases. HDV causes the least common but the most severe and rapidly progressive form of chronic hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis in 70–80% of the cases. Along with better control of HBV, there has been a significant decline in HDV in developed countries where the clinical scenario is now dominated by patients with long-standing infection manifested clinically as cirrhosis. However, immigration from endemic areas is posing a new threat for HDV resurgence in Europe. Interferon-α is the only approved therapy for chronic hepatitis D, but treatment remains unsatisfactory.
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Date: 2012-04-16
Language: en
Type: other
Indexed In: ['crossref']
Access and Citation
AI Researcher Chatbot
Get quick answers to your questions about the article from our AI researcher chatbot