Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an important human pathogen that replicates with the help of the hepadnavirus, hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV virions are enveloped, about 36 nm in diameter. Their envelopes contain HBV surface proteins required for infection of hepatocytes. Within the envelope is a ribonucleoprotein particle consisting of the 1700 nt HDV genome wrapped around two HDV-encoded proteins, the small and large HD antigens. The HDV genome is highly base-paired, negative-sense RNA. The genome is replicated by host RNA polymerase II. Ribozymes encoded in the HDV genome cut unit length genomes from long concatemers generated during rolling circle replication. It has been estimated that 10% of HBV-infected patients are also HDV infected, although the numbers vary widely depending on geographical region. Chronic HDV/HBV coinfection often results in accelerated progression to liver cirrhosis and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to chronic HBV infection alone.
Elsevier, Viruses (Second Edition)
From Understanding to Investigation
2023, Pages 297-300
