Detection of Serum HDV RNA by RT-PCR
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The cloning and sequencing of the hepatitis D virus (HDV) genome in 1986 established the peculiar features that make HDV the only genus of the Deltaviridae family (
1
). HDV is a defective negative-strand RNA virus that requires concurrent infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) to complete its replicative cycle. The 36-nm virion consists of the delta antigen (HDV Ag) and the RNA genome of 1.6 kb within an envelop of surface antigen (HBsAg), provided by the HBV infecting the host (
2
, Fig. 1 ). The structure and biological properties and replication mechanism of HDV are similar to those of plant RNA viruses such as the viroids and satellite RNAs (
3
).
Fig. 1.
Schematic virion of HDV.
