THE DELTA AGENT

Delta剂是一种传染性肝炎病毒，似乎是 有缺陷，需要自身与乙肝病毒共同感染 综合。该试剂具有一个小的RNA基因组(100万道尔顿)，即 与Delta抗原一起包裹在HBs Ag的涂层中。这个 该病原体于1977年在意大利被发现，在那里它是地方病。证据： 感染德尔塔病毒最常见的是携带者 反复接触血液的乙肝病毒感染者(血友病患者， 非法吸毒者等)。德尔塔病毒感染的敏感检测结果 已开发并用于评估乙肝病毒携带者的实验性感染 黑猩猩。在人类和黑猩猩感染Delta病毒的情况下 会导致非常严重的肝炎。Delta代理已经在实验中 传播给长期感染土拨鼠肝炎的土拨鼠 病毒，一种类似于乙肝病毒的肝炎病毒。黑猩猩和 土拨鼠为更详细的特征描述提供动物模型系统 这位医学上重要的特工。近年来，丝兰属植物的血清学研究 印度人(委内瑞拉)表示德尔塔病毒与病原学有关 在这一人群中患有严重的、往往是致命的肝炎 乙肝病毒感染的发病率。血清学证据表明 达美航空公司与巴西的重型肝炎(拉布拉热)有关 哥伦比亚(圣玛尔塔肝炎)也已获得。

The delta agent is a transmissible hepatitis agent that appears to be defective and requires co-infection with hepatitis B virus for its own synthesis. The agent has a small RNA genome (1 million daltons) that is encapsidated together with delta antigen within a coat of HBs Ag. The agent was discovered in 1977 in Italy, where it is endemic. Evidence for infection with the delta agent is found most frequently in carriers of hepatitis B virus who are repeatedly exposed to blood (hemophiliacs, illicit drug users, etc.). Sensitive assays for delta agent infection have been developed and used to evaluate experimental infection of HBV-carrier chimpanzees. In both man and chimpanzee infection with the delta agent results in very severe hepatitis. The delta agent has been experimentally transmitted to woodchucks chronically infected with the woodchuck hepatitis virus, a hepatitis virus similar to hepatitis B virus. The chimpanzee and woodchuck provide animal model systems for more detailed characterization of this medically important agent. Recently, serologic studies of Yucpa Indians (Venezuela) indicated that delta agent was etiologically associated with severe and often fatal hepatitis in this population which has a high incidence of hepatitis B virus infection. Serologic evidence that the delta agent is associated with severe hepatitis in Brazil (Labrea fever) and Colombia (Santa Marta hepatitis) has also been obtained.