Hepatitis D

Question 1

What is Hepatitis D

Answer 1

Hepatitis D (Delta virus infection, HDV)

small incomplete RNA virus
can only infect individuals who have HBV

Question 2

Which patients can become infected with Hep D

Answer 2

only patients with hepatitis B (HBsAg+ve) infection

Question 3

What are the main at risk groups for Hep D

Answer 3

The main risk groups are:
people who acquired the infection abroad,
people who inject drugs
sex workers

Question 4

When may Hep D be suspected

Answer 4

In a patient with hepatitis B
if the acute hepatitis is severe
or
if chronic hepatitis B carriers experience a further attack of acute hepatitis
or if the liver disease in chronic HBV is rapidly progressive

Question 5

What are the main risks of Hep D

Answer 5

High rate of fulminant hepatitis

and progression to cirrhosis

Question 6

Diagnosis of Hep D

Answer 6

Positive anti-HDV antibody

HDV RNA test

Question 7

What % of patients with HBV are co-infected with HDV

Answer 7

globally, approximately 5%

Question 8

Treatment of HDV

Answer 8

Poor response to treatment

Pegylated interferon alpha
for at least 48 weeks

Liver transplantation considered for fulminant hepatitis and end-stage liver disease