title: Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) a cause of severe and fulminant acute hepatitis.
abstract: This report will briefly outline what has been learned since the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) was discovered. The molecular biology of HDV as well as the puzzling epidemiology are analyzed. A special attention is given to the clinical features of HDV liver disease, especially as a cause of fulminant hepatitis. The role of HDV in other severe liver diseases will be discussed.
mesh_terms: D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans