Webinars

NOV 15, 2018 6:00 AM CET

HDV, the most severe form of viral hepatitis. What you need to know about it

Sponsored by: Diasorin

Speakers

Valentina Svicher, PhD

Associate Professor of Virology at the Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy
BIOGRAPHY
Ana Avellon, PhD, MD

Head of the Hepatitis Unit at the Spanish National Center of Microbiology, Istituto de Salud Carlos III Madrid, Spain
BIOGRAPHY

Abstract

DATE: November 15, 2018

TIME: 06:00am PST, 09:00am EST, 3:00pm CET

Part 1 - Presented by Valentina Svicher

Hepatitis Delta Virus: insights and emerging concepts into a peculiar pathogen

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is a unique RNA virus that requires the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to infect the hepatocytes. Chronic Hepatitis D is recognized as the most severe form of viral hepatitis, leading to accelerated progression of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and a high mortality rate. HDV infection affects an estimated 15–20 million individuals, is spread worldwide and is endemic in some regions. Moreover, HDV prevalence is increasing in many countries as a consequence of immigration from highly endemic geographic areas.

Despite the severity of hepatitis D, screening and treatment has been often neglected in part due to the lack of an effective therapy. Indeed, interferon alpha is the only anti-HDV drug approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis D, even if its efficacy is limited and side effects can be severe. Future therapeutic options are under investigation targeting HDV entry, HBsAg secretion, and viral assembly. This webinar will summarize current knowledge on virological and epidemiological aspects of HDV infection with particular attention of categories of individuals in which HDV testing should be prioritized. It also provides an overview on the upcoming treatment options against this virus.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss epidemiological and virological aspects of HDV infection
Identify categories of individuals at risk of acquiring HDV infection
Describe current and future HDV treatments

Part 2 - Presented by Ana Avellon

HDV infection: how and when to diagnose a forgotten disease

Although the most aggressive infectious liver disease, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection may be underdiagnosed both for the unawareness or the unavailability of accurate diagnostic methods. Any hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patient is susceptible to HDV infection for life and consequently searching for HDV should be included in HBV infected patient monitoring guidelines. Periodically detection of HDV antibody and viral RNA in HBV infected patients can early diagnose HDV and may impact the progress of the liver disease.

Learning Objectives:

How to diagnose HDV: methods and interpretation of results
When to ask for HDV diagnosis: guidelines review

HDV, the most severe form of viral hepatitis. What you need to know about it

HDV, the most severe form of viral hepatitis. What you need to know about it

Valentina Svicher, PhD

Ana Avellon, PhD, MD

HDV, the most severe form of viral hepatitis. What you need to know about it