[Delta virus: now also detected in Austria. A defective virus as a pathogenic agent].
delta-virus, first described by Rizzetto, is a defective virus dependent on hepatitis B virus as helper-virus. Superinfection of inactive hepatitis B with delta-virus leads to chronic active or even fulminant hepatitis. It can be detected by RIA or ELISA and its distribution is world-wide. Also in Austria, 4 sera with antibodies to delta-virus have been found among 138 HBsAg-positive sera. No therapy is known, but vaccination against HB virus also prevents the propagation of delta-virus.
D001317:Austria; D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000276:immunology
D006508:Hepatitis Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Delta-Virus: Nunmehr auch in Osterreich nachgewiesen. Ein defektes Virus als pathogens Agens.