Review
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World J Hepatol. Dec 27, 2013; 5(12): 666-675
Published online Dec 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i12.666
Life cycle and pathogenesis of hepatitis D virus: A review
Zaigham Abbas, Rafia Afzal
Zaigham Abbas, Rafia Afzal, Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi 75500, Pakistan
Author contributions: Abbas Z designed the review’s objectives; Afzal Z searched the literature for latest developments in the field; both authors were involved in reviewing the literature, writing and editing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Zaigham Abbas, Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation, Karachi 75500, Pakistan. drzabbas@gmail.com
Telephone: +92-21-32728998 Fax: +92-21-99215469
Received: October 3, 2013
Revised: November 6, 2013
Accepted: November 15, 2013
Published online: December 27, 2013
Core Tip

Core tip: A scarcity of literature about the hepatitis D virus (HDV) life cycle and pathogenesis is clearly evident. Severity of HDV associated liver disease and lack of an efficient treatment regime therefore warrant urgent research into HDV biology. Virus entry inhibitors and isoprenylation inhibitors may play a role in preventing HDV superinfection and liver cirrhosis. As inhibition of interferon-α signaling by HDV plays a pivotal role in failure to clear the virus, testing interferon-free treatment regimens should undergo clinical trials. A low degree of heterogeneity in hepatitis delta antigen encourages the development of a vaccine using its immunogenic sequences.