Epidemiology of Infection With Hepatitis D Virus
Author: mzPOTTER
It is estimated that approximately 5% of people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus are also infected with D, which represents about 15 million infected worldwide. The infection is not always directly related to the prevalence of infection with hepatitis B virus
The routes of transmission are similar to those for hepatitis B, with parenteral transmission. It is interesting to note that your transmission is apparently lower in homosexuals, intravenous drug users predominate in hemophiliacs.
The infection is endemic in the Mediterranean basin, particularly in southern Italy (where the virus was described for the first time.) Has also been reported in the Far East, Pacific Islands and parts of South America. There has been described in Chile. The incidence of infection is probably in decline.
The genomic differences have allowed the virus group in 3 genotypes. These genotypes are associated with different clinical features:
Genotype I: Present at the European and Western countries. It is associated with an increased risk of fulminant hepatitis, more rapid progression to cirrhosis and possibly increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Genotype II: Described in the Far East. A difference of genotype I, has not been associated so strongly to a more ominous development of the hepatitis B virus infection.
Genotype III: As described in strains from South America (in the Amazon basin of Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia and Peru) as well as Central Africa and Northern India. Has been associated with outbreaks with high rates of fulminant hepatitis.