Hepatitis D Virus

Question 1

Classification

Answer 1

Family: Cystoviridae

Genus: Deltavirus

Species: hepatitis D

Question 2

Characteristics

Answer 2

• Enveloped virus
  > uses hepatitis B surface antigen as it’s protein envelope
• HDV can replicate only in cells already infected with HBV

Genome:
- -ssRNA , circular

• No virion RNA polymerase
• HDV has one serotype (because HBV has only one serotype)

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Blood-borne
Sexually
Mother to child

• coinfection —> HB and HD at the same time
• Superinfection —> hepatitis D is transmitted when hepatitis B infection already exists
  (Worse)

Question 4

Pathogenesis

Answer 4

• Hepatocellular injury probably caused by cytotoxic T cells
• Chronic hepatitis and chronic carrier state occur

Question 5

Disease

Answer 5

Hepatitis D

Question 6

Microbiological diagnosis

Answer 6

Serologic testing detects either delta antigen or antibody to delta antigen

Question 7

Treatment and prevention

Answer 7

• Pegylated alpha interferon mitigates (does not cure)

Prevention:

Prevention of HBV infection by using the HBV vaccine and the HBV Hyperimmune globulins will prevent HDV infection also.