What is Hepatitis D?

Hepatit D nedir?

 

What is Hepatitis D?

Hepatitis D is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis delta virus (HDV). It can lead to lifelong liver damage, cirrhosis, and in severe cases, liver failure or death. Hepatitis D is considered the most severe form of viral hepatitis because it can accelerate liver complications, including liver cancer.

HDV is contagious and spreads through direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Hepatitis D can be acute (sudden onset, sometimes self-limiting) or chronic (lasting more than six months), with chronic infection increasing the risk of serious liver damage.

Currently, there is no specific treatment or vaccine for Hepatitis D, but the Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent HDV infection, as HDV requires HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) to replicate. Early diagnosis and management can help prevent liver failure.

Causes of Hepatitis D:

Hepatitis D infection occurs only in people who have Hepatitis B:

  1. Co-infection: HBV and HDV infect simultaneously.

  2. Superinfection: A person already infected with HBV later becomes infected with HDV. This is the most common route of HDV infection.

HDV spreads via contact with infected blood or body fluids. Risk factors include:

  • Chronic Hepatitis B infection

  • Injection drug use

  • Sexual contact with an infected person

  • Rarely, transmission from mother to newborn during childbirth

Who is most at risk?

  • Infants born to infected mothers

  • Sexual partners of infected individuals

  • Injection drug users

  • Hemodialysis patients

  • People living with chronic HBV patients

Symptoms of Hepatitis D:

Not everyone with HDV develops symptoms. When present, symptoms may include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Abdominal pain

  • Fatigue and weakness

  • Loss of appetite

  • Dark urine and pale stools

Symptoms in patients with both HBV and HDV can be more severe. Sometimes HDV worsens the symptoms of existing HBV infection.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis involves:

  • Medical history and lifestyle review

  • Blood tests for all types of hepatitis

  • Detection of anti-HDV antibodies in the blood

  • Liver function tests to assess liver health (measuring proteins, liver enzymes, and bilirubin levels)

Treatment:

There is currently no universally effective treatment for Hepatitis D. Some antiviral medications may be used, but their efficacy is limited and side effects can occur. Treatment outcomes depend on whether the infection is co-infection or superinfection.

Experimental treatments are in clinical trials, including:

  • Drugs targeting HDV replication

  • Drugs preventing HDV from binding to HBV-infected liver cells

For patients with advanced liver disease, liver transplantation may be considered. This surgical procedure replaces a damaged liver with a healthy donor liver.

Prevention:

There is no vaccine for Hepatitis D. Prevention focuses on reducing the risk of Hepatitis B infection, including:

  • Vaccination against Hepatitis B

  • Avoid sharing personal items (toothbrushes, razors)

  • Practicing safe sex

  • Ensuring sterile techniques for tattoos and piercings

  • Avoiding contact with others’ blood or wounds, using gloves if necessary

  • Limiting alcohol to reduce further liver damage