Delta agent: a unique hepatotropic particle
Zouali, M.
Biomedicine and PharmacoTherapy 39(9-10): 461-464
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0753-3322 PMID: 3938665 Document Number: 267375
The delta agent is a unique virus-like human pathogen that superinfects individuals with hepatitis B virus. It is a defective "particle" that requires for its replication and expression obligatory helper functions provided by the hepatitis B virus. It is transmitted through blood products and body fluids via both parenteral and non parental routes. The recent description of an accessible animal model and a nucleic acid probe for delta agent should facilitate elucidation of the pathogenesis of delta-associated liver disease.