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Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

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Definition:

Delta agent is a type of virus called hepatitis D that causes symptoms only in people who have a hepatitis B infection.

Alternative Names:

Hepatitis D virus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is only found in people who carry the hepatitis B virus. HDV may make a hepatitis B infection or existing hepatitis B liver disease worse. It can cause symptoms in people with hepatitis B virus who never had symptoms.

Hepatitis D infects about 15 million people worldwide. It occurs in 5% of people with hepatitis B.

Risk factors include:

• Having a hepatitis B infection in the past
• Carrying the hepatitis B virus
• Receiving many blood transfusions
• Intravenous (IV) drug abuse
• Men having intercourse with other men
• Being infected while pregnant (can pass the virus to the baby)

References:

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 5th ed. London: Churchill Livingstone; 2000:1870-1871.

Long SS, Pickering LK, Prober CG. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Elsevier; 2003:1097-1101.

• Review Date: 7/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Charlotte Grayson, MD, Private Practice specializing in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Smyrna, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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