Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection
11:14

Detection of Low Copy Number Integrated Viral DNA Formed by In Vitro Hepatitis B Infection

Published on: November 7, 2018

Natural history of compensated viral B and D cirrhosis

Liana Gheorghe1, Speranta Iacob, Iulia Simionov

  • 1Hepatology Unit, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Str. Fundeni no. 258, 72437 Bucharest, Romania. drgheorghe@xnet.ro

Romanian Journal of Gastroenterology
|January 10, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV)-related cirrhosis progresses rapidly, with a median time to decompensation under two years. This aggressive liver disease significantly impacts survival, with jaundice and other complications worsening outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Viral Hepatitis
  • Liver Cirrhosis

Background:

  • Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) infection leads to a severe form of liver cirrhosis.
  • Understanding the natural long-term course of HDV-compensated cirrhosis is crucial for patient management.
  • Previous studies have not fully elucidated the progression and survival rates in HDV-related cirrhosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the natural long-term course of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV)-related compensated cirrhosis.
  • To analyze survival rates and identify predictors of mortality in patients with HDV cirrhosis.
  • To characterize the initial decompensation events and their impact on patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 166 consecutive patients with compensated HDV-related cirrhosis was followed prospectively.
  • Data collection included time to first decompensation, death, or liver transplantation until December 31, 2004.
  • Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were employed to assess survival probabilities and compare groups.

Main Results:

  • The median survival was 58.3 months, with a mean time to first decompensation of 21 months.
  • The most frequent initial decompensation events were ascites (80.7%), jaundice (30.1%), and portal hypertensive gastrointestinal bleeding (PHGIB) (28.9%).
  • Survival was significantly worse in patients presenting with jaundice, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), or multiple initial complications. PHGIB and MELD score >15 were independent predictors of death.

Conclusions:

  • HDV-related cirrhosis in Romania is an aggressive liver disease with a rapid progression to decompensation and reduced survival.
  • Jaundice, complications of portal hypertension, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are primary causes of decompensation.
  • Over half of the patients experienced multiple complications at initial decompensation, highlighting the severity of the disease.
Abstract

More Related Videos

"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection10:25

"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Published on: February 19, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...
Cytomegalovirus Disease01:27

Cytomegalovirus Disease

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...