Hepatitis Delta
Hepatitis Delta infection is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV) and is considered the most dangerous hepatitis virus. HDV is dependent on the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and therefore occurs only in people infected with HBV. It can be transmitted through blood, or contact with other bodily fluids such as semen, vaginal fluid, or saliva from an infected person.(13,14)
The worldwide prevalence of HDV infection ranges from 4.5% to 13% in HBsAg+ patients, representing 12 to 60 million infected individuals.(14)
The estimated prevalence varies considerably between countries and analyses. Therefore, the true prevalence of HDV worldwide is unknown and likely underestimated.(15,16)
HDV causes the most severe form of disease among viral hepatitis, increasing the risk of hepatic decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma, the need for liver transplantation or death from hepatic causes when compared with HBV mono-infection.(13)