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Hepatitis D General Clinical Tests
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Test Name
Method |
Hepatitis Delta Antigen and Antibody (HDAg; anti-HD)
Solid-phase EIA |
Specimen
Requirements |
Serum.
Stable for 7 d at RT and indefinately at 4° |
Ref. Range
Conventional
International Recommended Units |
Negative
|
Chemical Interfaces
In Vivo Effects |
None found |
| Diagnostic Information |
Hepatitis Delta is a generate RNA virus or nirusoid that requires the
surface coat of Hepatitis B (HBsAg) in order to become an infectious virus.
After transcription of the RNA into mRNA, the virus produces a protein,
HDAg, which might interfere with translation of other mRNA's and produce
cell damage. When Hepatitis D infection occurs simultaneously with Hepatitis
B, the course of infections tends to be self-limited. However, in the case
of acute Hepatitis D superinfection of an established Hepatitis B infection,
there is much more Hepatitis D replication, and a more severe clinical hepatitis
occurs. In this situation, the Hepatitis D infection usually becomes chronic.
Anti-HD does not necessarily indicate active infection, but the ;presence
of HDAg does. |
| Remarks |
The role of testing for either HDAg or anti-HD is currently controversial.
Genereally one tests for Hepatitis D only patients with markers for
Hepatitis B. It has been suggested, for prognostic reasons, that all patients
with chronic Hepatitis B be tested for anti-HD, especially if there is exacerbation
of a stable hepatitis. |
References:
Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, third edition.
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