Application of nucleic acid hybridization to the hepatitis delta virus research

Cloning and sequencing of the genome of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) represented a remarkable progress in the knowledge of HDV infection and made available cDNA and RNA probes which can be successfully used to identify HDV-RNA in biological specimens. We review here the methods currently used for detecting HDV nucleic acids and report the most recent advances of the molecular biology of HDV. Finally, we examine the number of compelling reasons for the diagnostic laboratory to pursue this technology. Testing for HDV-RNA has become essential for the screening and the follow-up of both chronic HDV carriers, undergoing antiviral therapy and patients with terminal disease, eligible for liver transplant.