[Hepatitis D: forgotten but not gone]

Rev Med Suisse. 2010 Sep 8;6(261):1656-9.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a subviral agent which depends on the envelope proteins (HBsAg) of hepatitis B virus (HBV). Therefore, hepatitis D is observed only in patients infected with HBV. Chronic hepatitis D is the least frequent albeit most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis. A resurgence of chronic hepatitis D has been observed in Northern and Central Europe, mainly due to immigration of patients from regions with high prevalence. Every HBsAg-positive patient should be screened for concurrent HDV infection. Standard treatment consists of pegylated interferon-alpha for at least one year. Sustained virological response rates are approximately 20%. Liver transplantation should be considered in patients with advanced cirrhosis or limited hepatocellular carcinoma. Preventive measures for hepatitis D are the same as for hepatitis B.

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • European Union / statistics & numerical data
  • Global Health
  • Hepatitis B / complications
  • Hepatitis D* / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis D* / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis D* / therapy
  • Hepatitis D, Chronic
  • Hepatitis Delta Virus / isolation & purification
  • Humans
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Polyethylene Glycols / therapeutic use
  • Prevalence
  • Recombinant Proteins

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • peginterferon alfa-2b
  • peginterferon alfa-2a