HEPATITIS DELTA VIRUS Meaning and
Definition
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Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is a small, defective RNA virus that can only cause infection in the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV is classified within the Deltavirus genus and is the most recently discovered human hepatitis virus. It is responsible for causing a severe form of viral hepatitis known as delta hepatitis or hepatitis D.
HDV is a unique virus as it requires the presence of HBV to replicate and cause infection. It is considered a satellite virus because it utilizes HBV's envelope proteins to assemble and release new viral particles. HDV infection can occur as a co-infection with acute HBV infection or as a superinfection in patients already chronically infected with HBV.
The transmission of HDV primarily occurs through the same routes as HBV, including exposure to contaminated blood or other body fluids. It is more commonly found in regions with a high prevalence of HBV, such as sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia.
Hepatitis delta can range in severity, from a mild form that resolves on its own to a more severe and potentially fatal disease. The clinical symptoms and outcomes can vary widely, but often present as more severe liver damage compared to HBV alone. Treatment options for HDV are limited, and management typically revolves around proactively treating the underlying HBV infection.
Prevention of HDV infection involves the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine, as HDV cannot infect individuals who are immune to HBV.
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