Medical expert of the article
New publications
Hepatitis D virus
Last reviewed: 08.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The pathogen (HDV) was discovered in 1977 by M. Risetto and his colleagues in the nuclei of hepatocytes in patients with chronic hepatitis using the immunofluorescence method. The virion is spherical in shape, with a diameter of 35-37 nm. The genome is a single-stranded circular RNA with a m. w. of 0.5 MD (like viroids).
The virion has two proteins - internal and external. The internal protein HDAg is encoded by the HDV gene, and the external one - by the HBV gene, i.e. it is the surface antigen of the hepatitis B virus - HBsAg. In this regard, it is believed that HDV is a satellite of the hepatitis B virus, and the presence of the host virus (HBV) is required for the reproduction of HDV. There are three genovariants of HDV (I-III). Infection occurs parenterally (with blood and its preparations) or from mother to fetus. Most fulminant forms of hepatitis B and about 30% of liver cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis B are associated with HDV. About 5% of HBV carriers in the world are infected with HDV.
The main diagnostic method is the detection of HDV-specific antibodies (IFM, RIF, etc.) or antigen (PCR). Vaccination against hepatitis B also serves as a means of preventing delta hepatitis.
[