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Update on the Management of HBV-HDV Coinfection

  • Hepatitis B: Therapeutics (P Martin, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Hepatitis Delta is caused by coinfection with the hepatitis B virus and the hepatitis D virus and has to be considered as the most severe form of viral hepatitis. HDV infection may affect between 15 and 20 Million individuals worldwide with significant regional differences of HDV prevalence rates. The diagnosis of hepatitis delta in HBsAg-positive individuals is based on the detection of HDV antibodies and HDV RNA. Interferon alpha remains the only effective treatment as currently available nucleoside or nucleotide analogous are not effective against HDV. Recent trials showed that about 25 % of HDV-infected patients may clear HDV RNA by therapy with pegylated interferon alpha. Liver transplantation remains the only treatment option for the majority patients with advanced liver disease

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  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany

    Heiner Wedemeyer, Svenja Hardtke & Michael P. Manns

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  1. Heiner Wedemeyer
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  2. Svenja Hardtke
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Correspondence to Heiner Wedemeyer.

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Wedemeyer, H., Hardtke, S. & Manns, M.P. Update on the Management of HBV-HDV Coinfection. Curr Hepatitis Rep 11, 95–101 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-012-0129-3

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