Hepatitis D Fact Sheet

Bloodborne Pathogens Section

Cause

• Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis delta virus.
• Discovered in 1977
• This is a defective virus. It can only replicate in the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HbsAg).
• People infected with Hep D can be coinfected (infected with Hep B and D at the same time), or superinfected (existing Hep B infection and then infected later with Hep D)

Clinical Characteristics

Death rates are higher for patients with HBV and patients with Disease from liver damage (15-25%)

Signs and Symptoms

• The symptoms of Hep D are identical to those of Hep B (click here for Hep B Fact Sheet).
• These symptoms include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), tiredness, loss of appetite, joint pain, pain in the stomach area, and feelings of sickness.

Modes of Transmission

• Most cases are acquired by exposure to contaminated needles.
• Sexual transmission occurs, but is not common
• Household transmission can occur.

Persons at Risk

Those at risk for Hep D infection are limited to people at risk for Hep B. This includes people with multiple sexual partners and people who inject drugs. (See Hep B Fact Sheet)

Prevention

• In people without Hep B infection, vaccination against HBV will protect against the hepatitis delta virus.
• People with Hep B should try to eliminate their risk of exposure to infected blood or blood products (see risk factors) to make sure they do not become infected.

Vaccine Information

• There are no vaccines available for Hep D.
• Vaccination against Hep B will protect against Hep D.

Treatment

• Hep D can be treated in some cases by Interferon-alpha, but around 60-97% of those who initially respond to the treatment will relapse, and get Hep D again.

Canadian Data on the Trends of Hep D

• The prevalence of Hep D infection is extremely low in Canada.

Reference: Bloodborne Pathogens Section, Blood Safety Surveillance and Health Care Acquired Infections Division, Health Canada, 2003