06/09/2017
D a liver disease caused by the hepatitis D virus, a defective virus that needs the hepatitis B virus to existit is found in bloodhepatitis D is not a common cause of liver disease in Australiainfection with hepatitis D can be prevented by the hepatitis B vaccine.About the hepatitis D virus
Hepatitis D, also called delta virus, is a defective virus that requires the helper function of the hepatitis B virus to multiply and is therefore only found in people who are infected with hepatitis B. Hepatitis D is the least common but most severe form of viral hepatitis. (Rizzetto, M., et al; 1983)
Worldwide the pattern of hepatitis D infection is similar to the occurrence of hepatitis B infection and it has been estimated that 15 million people with hepatitis B (HBsAg+) are infected with hepatitis D (Farci, P.F. 2006). Hepatitis D is not a common infection in Australia. Over the past 6 years there have been between 20 and 30 cases of hepatitis D diagnosed and reported each year. (NNDSS)
Hepatitis D infection can occur as a co-infection, which means it occurs at the same time as hepatitis B infection; or it can occur as a superinfection in people who already have chronic hepatitis B.
People who are co-infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis D may experience a more seriously acute illness and have a higher risk (2%–20%) of developing acute liver failure compared to people infected with hepatitis B alone. (CDC 2006)
However, most people who are co-infected will clear hepatitis D and never develop chronic hepatitis D infection.
People with chronic hepatitis B who are infected with hepatitis D (superinfection) usually develop chronic (long term) hepatitis D infection. Long-term studies of people with hepatitis D superinfection show that between 70% and 80% develop cirrhosis (liver scarring) compared to 15% to 30% of people with chronic hepatitis B alone. (CDC 2006)
of hepatitis D
The symptoms of hepatitis D are similar to hepatitis B, such as:
loss of appetite
nausea and vomiting
tiredness
pain in the liver (upper, right side of abdomen)
muscle and joint pain
(yellowish eyes and skin, dark urine and pale-coloured faeces. (CDC 2006)
People who are infected with hepatitis D and hepatitis B have a higher risk of developing chronic liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).
of hepatitis D
Hepatitis D is spread in similar ways to hepatitis B because the virus is found in blood. Therefore, whenever blood from an infected person enters the bloodstream of a person who is not immune there is the risk of transmission. For example, hepatitis D infection can occur through sharing injecting equipment, or through needlestick or sharps injuries. It is less common for hepatitis D to be spread through sexual contact, or mother to baby transmission compared to hepatitis B. (CDC; 2006)
for hepatitis D
Co-infection and superinfection with hepatitis D can be diagnosed by a blood test which, if positive, will show antibodies against the hepatitis D virus.
