Identification of hepatitis delta superinfection when investigating transaminitis in HIV/hepatitis B virus co-infection.

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a highly pathogenic virus which can cause rapidly progressive liver disease in individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus and for which treatment options are limited. The incidence of sexually transmitted HDV infection is unknown. Here we report the case of a HDV seronegative man with pre-existent HIV/hepatitis B virus, taking effective tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy, who experienced a significant acute transaminitis with HDV antibody seroconversion and viraemia and no other identifiable cause.