[Update hepatitis D].
The relevance of chronic hepatitis delta results from its high morbidity. Prevalence of hepatitis D decreases in classic endemic areas of the Mediterranean Basin, but increases in Eastern European countries. Hepatitis D is mainly a disease of immigrants in Germany. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an incomplete virus, which needs the hepatitis B surface protein (HBsAg) but not hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication for its propagation. In case of HBsAg detection a screening for HDV antibodies should be performed. Simultaneous HDV/HBV infection leading to spontaneous virus clearance in the majority of cases has to be differentiated from HDV superinfection with a high rate of chronification. Chronic hepatitis D is difficult to treat. Treatment regimens for hepatitis D are interferon-based so far. Pegylated interferons, a prolongation of treatment beyond 12 months, combination therapies with ribavirin and prenylation inhibitors are possibly new therapeutic options in chronic hepatitis C.
Erhardt
Andreas
A
Klinik für Gastroenterologie, Hepatologie und Infektiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf. erhardt@uni-duesseldorf.de
Starke
Christine
C
Loerke
Julia
J
Giesecke
Christian
C
Heintges
Tobias
T
Häussinger
Dieter
D
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens