Reflex Testing for Hepatitis D Infection: A Unique Opportunity to Reduce Hepatitis D‐Related Chronic Liver Disease Deaths in Australia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection always occurs as a coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is the most severe form of viral hepatitis, associated with a high risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Effective treatment is now available for HDV-HBV coinfection and HDV screening is recommended for all people living with HBV, yet most people in Australia with HDV-HBV are diagnosed too late to prevent complications. This article calls for an urgent change in HDV testing policy and funding to implement reflex HDV antibody (anti-HDV) testing for all people diagnosed with HBV infection, thus enabling timely diagnosis of HDV-HBV coinfection and rapid access to life-saving treatment.
Source: The Medical Journal of Australia
DOI: 10.5694/mja2.70170
Institutions: Burnet Institute, The University of Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Monash University, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, The University of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, The University of Queensland, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Austin Hospital, Blacktown & Mount Druitt Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Western Sydney University, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Alfred Health, Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital, Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis B Virus Studies
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,400
OpenAlex ID: W7149981242