HEPATITIS (TYPE D)

Hello Everyone! How are you all? I hope that you all are fine and I am fine too. Today's topic is Hepatitis Type D. Let's begin!

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis D is a type of viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). HDV is one of five known hepatitis viruses: A, B, C, D, and E. HDV is considered to be a satellite (a type of subviral agent) because it can propagate only in the presence of the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Transmission of HDV can occur either via simultaneous infection with HBV (coinfection) or superimposed on chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis B carrier state (superinfection). Hepatitis D can be an acute, short-term infection or become a long-term, chronic infection.

CAUSES/TRANSMISSION

Unlike the other forms, hepatitis D can’t be contracted on its own. It can only infect people who are already infected with hepatitis B. The routes of transmission of hepatitis D are similar to those for hepatitis B. Infection is largely restricted to persons at high risk of hepatitis B infection, particularly injecting drug users and persons receiving clotting factor concentrates. Worldwide more than 15 million people are co-infected. HDV is rare in most developed countries and is mostly associated with intravenous drug use. However, HDV is much more common in the immediate Mediterranean region, sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, and the northern part of South America. In all, about 20 million people may be infected with HDV. Other ways of contracting HDV are:-

• blood
• urine
• A vertically transmitted infection(passed from mother to child during childbirth).

SYMPTOMS

Hepatitis D doesn’t always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they often include:

• yellowing of the skin and eyes, which is called jaundice
• joint pain
• abdominal pain
• vomiting
• loss of appetite
• dark urine
• fatigue

The symptoms of hepatitis B and hepatitis D are similar, so it can be difficult to determine which disease is causing your symptoms. In some cases, hepatitis D can make the symptoms of hepatitis B worse. It can also cause symptoms in people who have hepatitis B but who never had symptoms.

PREVENTIONS

The vaccine for hepatitis B protects against the hepatitis D virus because of the latter's dependence on the presence of the hepatitis B virus for it to replicate.

In absence of a specific vaccine against the delta virus, the vaccine against HBV must be given soon after birth in risk groups.

PREVALENCE

In a study published in the Journal of Hepatology in 2020 (1), conducted in collaboration with WHO, it was estimated that hepatitis D virus (HDV) affects nearly 5% of people globally who have a chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and that HDV co-infection could explain about 1 in 5 cases of liver disease and liver cancer in people with HBV infection. The study has identified several geographical hotspots of a high prevalence of HDV infection including Mongolia, the Republic of Moldova, and countries in western and central Africa.

Well, readers, that was it. Hope you liked it and it gave you enough information about Hepatitis type D. If still have any queries, feel free to ask in the comments, and yes! suggestions will be appreciated. Take care and keep you and your family safe. I will write again soon. Till then, bubyeeee.