Hepatitis D is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV), which requires HBV for its replication. Hepatitis D infection cannot occur in the absence of hepatitis B virus. HDV-HBV co-infection is considered the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis due to more rapid progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related death. What is Hepatitis D? Hepatitis D, also known as the hepatitis delta virus, is an infection that causes the liver to become inflamed. This swelling can impair liver function and cause long-term liver problems, including liver scarring and cancer. The condition is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). HDV is one of many forms of hepatitis. Other types include: hepatitis A , which is transmitted through direct contact with feces or indirect fecal contamination of food or water hepatitis B, which is spread through exposure to body fluids, including blood, urine, and semen hepatitis C, which is spread by exposure to contaminated...