Unthought-of Problems Regarding Hepatitis D Virus Infection

Hepatitis d virus (hdv) was discovered by rizzetto et al. (1) and after its discovery, the role of hdv infection in the exacerbation of hepatitis b virus (hbv) infection was revealed. hepatitis d virus infection occurs worldwide, but data about its incidence and prevalence are different in different parts of the world (2). the epidemiology of hdv infection is similar to that of hbv, with notable exceptions. it is estimated that approximately 5% of hepatitis b surface antigen (hbsag) carriers are infected with hdv infection worldwide (3). the infection had been endemic in the mediterranean basin, the middle east, and parts of africa (4-6). however, the rate of hdv infection has decreased in many countries of the world, due to the introduction of hbv vaccination, subsequently decreasing hbv infection and thus the pool of hbsag carriers who may also be infected with hdv(7).