Health Encyclopedia

Delta agent (Hepatitis D)

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:

Abusing intravenous (IV) drugs
Being infected while pregnant (the mother can pass the virus to the baby)
Carrying the hepatitis B virus
Having had a hepatitis B infection in the past
Men having intercourse with other men
Receiving many blood transfusions

Symptoms

Hepatitis D may make the symptoms of hepatitis B more severe.

Symptoms may include:

Abdominal pain
Dark-colored urine
Fatigue
Jaundice
Joint pain
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Vomiting

Signs and tests

Treatment

Many of the medicines used to treat hepatitis B are not helpful for treating hepatitis D. See hepatitis B.

Persons with long-term HDV infection may receive a medicine called alpha interferon for up to 12 months. A liver transplant for end-stage chronic hepatitis B may be effective.

Expectations (prognosis)

Persons with an acute HDV infection usually get better over 2 to 3 weeks. Liver enzyme levels return to normal within 16 weeks.

About 10% of those who are infected may develop long-term (chronic) liver inflammation (hepatitis).

Complications

Chronic active hepatitis
Fulminant hepatitis

Calling your health care provider

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of hepatitis B.

Prevention

Prompt recognition and treatment of hepatitis B infection can help prevent hepatitis D.

Avoid intravenous drug abuse. If you use IV drugs, avoid sharing needles.

A vaccine is available to prevent hepatitis B. It should be considered by people who are at high risk for hepatitis B infection.

References

Dienstag JL. Chronic viral hepatitis. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone;2005:chap 112.

Review Date:2/21/2009
Reviewed By:George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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