title: Epidemiology of hepatitis D.
abstract: Hepatitis D occurs worldwide. The major victims of the hepatitis D virus (HDV) are individuals carrying the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg); around 5% of the HBsAg carriers in the world are infected also by HDV. With the implementation of a hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination since the 1990s, the incidence of hepatitis D has consistently declined in the developed world, particularly in Southern Europe; however, immigrants from areas where HDV remains endemic are reintroducing the infection.Hepatitis D continues to ravage populations of developing and poor countries where HBV remains unchecked; action is needed to enforce HBV vaccination as effective prophylaxis not only against HBV, but against HDV as well.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, University of Torino, Turin, Italy. mrizzetto@molinette.piemonte.it
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzetto
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciancio
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003906:Developing Countries; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology; D003699:Hepatitis D / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines