hepatitis D virus

noun

variants or hepatitis delta virus

: a single-stranded RNA virus (species Hepatitis delta virus of the genus Deltavirus) that lacks an outer protein coat and is the causative agent of hepatitis D

Note: In order for the hepatitis D virus to replicate and cause infection, the virus causing hepatitis B must also be present in the body to supply the proteins necessary to form its protein coat.

—abbreviation HDV

called also delta agent, delta virus

Word History

First Known Use

1986, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hepatitis D virus

noun

variants or hepatitis delta virus

: a single-stranded RNA virus (species Hepatitis delta virus of the genus Deltavirus) that lacks an outer protein coat and is the causative agent of hepatitis D

Note: In order for the hepatitis D virus to replicate and cause infection, the virus causing hepatitis B must also be present in the body to supply the proteins necessary to form its protein coat.

Human hepatitis delta virus, or HDV, is harmless when on its own, but can cause devastating liver disease when it teams up with the hepatitis B virus.

—Philip Cohen, New Scientist

—abbreviation HDV

called also delta agent, delta virus