hepatitis d virus

Hepatitis D Virus (Delta Virus)

Hepatitis D is serious liver disease caused by Infection with hepatitis D Viruses.

Hepatitis D only occurs amongs people who are infected with hepatitis B.

Transmission required contact with infectious blood.

At risk include intravenous drug abusers.

Structure of Hepatitis D

It is small circular defective single stranded RNA (ssRNA) virus.

HDV is dependent on hepatitis B virus for its replication and expression.

If person have hepatitis B, the chances to get infect with Hepatitis D.

It is spherical, 36-38 in diameter.

RNA particle surrounded by HBsAg envelope.

Source and Mode of Transmission

1. Injecting drug abusers

2. Transmission due to contact with Infectious blood

3. By mother to baby by pregnancy labour

4. Direct contact with bodily fluids of infected person

Pathogenesis

Lead to spread of severe Hepatitis with;

Liver cirrhosis

Jaundice

Hepatic cancer

Impaired liver function

Laboratory Diagnosis

Specimen collection; blood or serum sample 

Serological test; Radioimmunoassay 

Delta antigen and IgM, detected in serum

Presence of HDV RNA in serum or liver tissue infection.

Prophylaxis

No specific prophylaxis exists, but immunization with hepatitis B vaccine is effective.

Screening of blood donor for ABsAg automatically limits blood borne HDV Infection.

Treatment

Alpha steriod is effective against Hepatitis D virus Infection.