title: Hepatitis D virus infection.
abstract: The hepatitis D virus (HDV) was first detected in Italy in 1977 and is the etiologic agent of type D hepatitis. A defective RNA virus, HDV depends completely on the hepatitis B virus for its expression and replication. HDV infection can cause a severe form of hepatitis with high mortality rates. In the United States, hepatitis D most commonly affects intravenous drug abusers and hemophiliacs. Diagnosis is based on interpretation of the body's immune response to the hepatitis D antigen. At present, there is no specific treatment for type D hepatitis. Prophylaxis against HDV infection depends entirely on the prevention of hepatitis B. Patients found to have hepatitis D virus infection should be referred to a gastroenterologist for management.
authors.affiliation: State University of New York at Buffalo.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Poss
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000503:physiopathology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans