Hepatitis D Virus

* RNA virus dependent for its life cycle on HBV.
* Hepatitis arises in the following settings.

·        Acute coinfection after exposure to serum containing both HDV & HBV.
- Acute h

epatitis (self-limited or fulminant).
- Chronic hepatitis (persistent or progressive).

·        Super-infection of a chronic carrier of HBV
- Severe acute hepatitis 
- Exacerbation of preexisting chronic hepatitis B, may progress to cirrhosis & hepatocellular carcinoma

·        latent infection in liver transplant

- Hepatitis