A New Therapeutic Broadcast on Hepatitis D, a Satellite Virus

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is known as a satellite virus because it requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) to enter the hepatocytes and to complete its life cycle. HDV is the smallest human pathogen, with a single-stranded RNA genome that is approximately 1.7 kb long. Yet, chronic… Hepatitis D virus (HDV) is known as a satellite virus because it requires the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) to enter the hepatocytes and to complete its life cycle. HDV is the smallest human pathogen, with a single-stranded RNA genome that is approximately 1.7 kb long. Yet, chronic…