Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of hepatitis D. Family history What is the general health of your family members? Social history What is your profession? In the last six months, have you traveled to countries with high hepatitis B or hepatitis D prevalence (clustered) and had sexual contact … Hepatitis D: Medical History
Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases (E00-E90). Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency Hemochromatosis (iron storage disease) – genetic disease with autosomal recessive inheritance with increased deposition of iron as a result of increased iron concentration in the blood with tissue damage. Wilson’s disease (copper storage disease) – autosomal recessive inherited disease in which copper metabolism in the liver … Hepatitis D: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
1st order laboratory parameters – obligatory laboratory tests. Serology – detection of hepatitis D-specific antigens (persists only briefly; 1-2nd week of acute infection; in superinfection)* . Anti-HDV antibody Anti-HDV IgM ELISA (serum): often the only marker during the late acute stage (hepatitis D antigen already negative); persistence is often observed during the chronic course. Anti-HDV … Hepatitis D: Lab Test
Therapy goals Reduction of HDV RNA levels and eventual signs of liver inflammation in treated patients. An important foundation of hepatitis D therapy is optimal therapy for hepatitis B. In chronic hepatitis B, therapy should be directed toward normalization of transaminases and the lowest possible viral load (< 300 copies of HBV DNA/ml). Therapy recommendations … Hepatitis D: Drug Therapy
The diagnosis of hepatitis D is made predominantly by history, physical examination, and laboratory diagnosis. Optional medical device diagnostics-depending on the results of the history, physical examination, laboratory diagnostics, and obligatory medical device diagnostics-for differential diagnosis. Abdominal ultrasonography (ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs) – for basic diagnostics. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen (abdominal … Hepatitis D: Diagnostic Tests
In advanced cirrhosis, the possibility of liver transplantation (LTx) should be discussed – in persons with hepatitis B/hepatitis D coinfection, the 5-year survival rate is higher than in those with hepatitis B infection alone
Hepatitis B vaccination is the most important and effective preventive measure. Furthermore, to prevent hepatitis D, attention must be paid to reducing risk factors. Behavioral risk factors Drug use (intravenous, ie, through the vein). Sexual transmission Promiscuity (sexual contact with relatively frequently changing different partners or with parallel multiple partners). Prostitution Men who have sex … Hepatitis D: Prevention
The following symptoms and complaints may indicate hepatitis B or hepatitis D: Symptoms of the so-called prodromal stage (phase in the course of a disease in which uncharacteristic signs or even early symptoms occur). General feeling of illness Anorexia (loss of appetite) Nausea (nausea)/vomiting Arthralgia (joint pain) Fever (slightly elevated temperature) Symptoms of the icteric … Hepatitis D: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs
Pathogenesis (development of disease) Hepatitis D virus (HDV, formerly also called delta virus or δ-agent) needs the envelope of hepatitis B virus to infect cells. Hepatitis D infection cannot occur without hepatitis B infection. Eight HDV genotypes can be distinguished. Transmission is sexual, perinatal (during birth), or parenteral (via infusions/transfusions). The virus reaches the liver … Hepatitis D: Causes
General measures Observance of the general hygiene measures! Genital hygiene Once a day, the genital area should be washed with a pH-neutral care product. Washing several times a day with soap, intimate lotion or disinfectant destroys the natural acid mantle of the skin. Pure water dries out the skin, frequent washing irritates the skin. It … Hepatitis D: Therapy
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by hepatitis B or hepatitis D: Liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts – Pancreas (pancreas)(K70-K77; K80-K87). Acute liver failure with hepatic encephalopathy (brain dysfunction resulting from inadequate liver detoxification function). Chronic hepatitis B – severe chronic courses. Liver cirrhosis – connective tissue … Hepatitis D: Consequential Diseases
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, body weight, body height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing). Skin, mucous membranes, and sclerae (white part of the eye) [jaundice (jaundice)?] Abdomen (abdomen) Shape of the abdomen? Skin color? Skin texture? Efflorescences (skin changes)? Pulsations? … Hepatitis D: Examination