Hepatitis D Virus: An Update
Hepatitis D Virus: An Update
Hepatitis D virus is an insufficiently characterized virus: After a decrease of its spread, largely because of the HBV vaccination campaigns and the increased awareness on bloodborne infections following the HIV scare, it still infects a steady proportion of HBV carriers worldwide. Thus, it is unfortunate that the interest in HDV research has faltered. The stable prevalence in Western countries, the frequent occurrence of severe outbreaks in diverse geographical areas, the severity of HDV-associated liver disease and the lack of efficient treatment should, however, encourage research. A better knowledge of the virus life cycle and pathogenesis will certainly help in identifying new approaches to treatment.
Conclusions
Hepatitis D virus is an insufficiently characterized virus: After a decrease of its spread, largely because of the HBV vaccination campaigns and the increased awareness on bloodborne infections following the HIV scare, it still infects a steady proportion of HBV carriers worldwide. Thus, it is unfortunate that the interest in HDV research has faltered. The stable prevalence in Western countries, the frequent occurrence of severe outbreaks in diverse geographical areas, the severity of HDV-associated liver disease and the lack of efficient treatment should, however, encourage research. A better knowledge of the virus life cycle and pathogenesis will certainly help in identifying new approaches to treatment.