Abstract

Study Group for Viral Hepatitis of the Turkish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases convened a meeting to develop a consensus report on management of chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection, affecting nearly 5% of people infected with hepatitis B virus worldwide. Relevant literature and international guidelines were reviewed, and recommendations agreed are presented at the end of each section such as epidemiology, natural history and diagnosis of HDV infection, indications for treatment, treatment and follow-up, evaluation of response to treatment and long-term outcomes in HDV infection. Examples of some selected recommendations are as follows: [1] Patients with compensated liver disease, documented HDV viremia and elevated transaminase levels should be treated regardless of their liver histology. [2] Peg-IFN should be used for treatment of HDV infection. [3] Duration of therapy should be at least one year. [4] Treatment prolongation, provided that it can be tolerated, should be considered because of its potential benefit on virological response. [5] Although oral antivirals do not impact HDV replication, if they are needed to be used for HBV infection, a nucleotide analogue should be preferred to achieve a decline in HBsAg levels.