Prevalence of HDV infection in Central Italy has remained stable across the last two decades with dominance of sub-genotypes 1 and characterized by elevated viral replication

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is the smallest known human virus with a genome of ∼1.7 kb single-stranded circular RNA. HDV is a satellite virus that can infect only in presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), its helper virus [1]. Indeed, HDV exploits the HBV surface proteins (collectively defined as HBsAg) for the release of its progeny and de novo entry into hepatocytes[1]. HBV+ HDV infection causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis, leading to the development of cirrhosis in 15% of cases within 1–2 years and in 70–80% of cases within 5–10 years[2].

Source: International Journal of Infectious Diseases - November 7, 2023 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Romina Salpini, Lorenzo Piermatteo, Giulia Torre, Stefano D'Anna, Sohaib Khan, Leonardo Duca, Ada Bertoli, Simone La Frazia, Vincenzo Malagnino, Elisabetta Teti, Marco Iannetta, Pierpaolo Paba, Marco Ciotti, Ilaria Lenci, Simona Francioso, Caterina Paquaz Source Type: research