[Update hepatitis D].

Abstract

The relevance of chronic hepatitis delta results from its high morbidity. Prevalence of hepatitis D decreases in classic endemic areas of the Mediterranean Basin, but increases in Eastern European countries. Hepatitis D is mainly a disease of immigrants in Germany. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is an incomplete virus, which needs the hepatitis B surface protein (HBsAg) but not hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication for its propagation. In case of HBsAg detection a screening for HDV antibodies should be performed. Simultaneous HDV/HBV infection leading to spontaneous virus clearance in the majority of cases has to be differentiated from HDV superinfection with a high rate of chronification. Chronic hepatitis D is difficult to treat. Treatment regimens for hepatitis D are interferon-based so far. Pegylated interferons, a prolongation of treatment beyond 12 months, combination therapies with ribavirin and prenylation inhibitors are possibly new therapeutic options in chronic hepatitis C.

• Authors: Andreas Erhardt, Christine Starke, Julia Loerke, Christian Giesecke, Tobias Heintges, Dieter Häussinger
• Journal: Medizinische Klinik (Munich, Germany : 1983) (Med Klin (Munich)) Vol. 101 Suppl 1 Pg. 127-34 (Mar 22 2006) ISSN: 0723-5003 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Update Hepatitis D.
• PMID: 16802537 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

Topics

• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Comorbidity
• Cross-Cultural Comparison
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Emigration and Immigration (statistics & numerical data)
• Germany
• Hepatitis B (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis D (diagnosis, drug therapy, virology)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Mass Screening
• Virus Replication (drug effects)