Epatite Delta, malattia estremamente grave oggi curabile nel 70% dei casi con buliveritide
(Adnkronos) - Andreoni (Tor Vergata), 10.000 in Italia le persone con epatite Delta, patologia causata dal Hdv in presnza anche dell’Hbv. Con bulivertide nel 20% dei casi si ha la completa scomparsa del virus dall’organismo.
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00:00 Hepatitis D is a viral hepatitis caused by the Delta virus.
00:03 The Delta virus was discovered by an Italian researcher, Professor Rizzetto, in 1989.
00:10 It is an extremely serious hepatitis, widespread in Italy.
00:15 It is estimated that in Italy there are at least 10,000 people infected by the Delta virus.
00:22 In the world there are several tens of millions.
00:25 In the US there are 50-60 million people infected.
00:30 In the Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America,
00:38 in Europe there are almost half a million people infected.
00:44 It is an extremely widespread virus, transmitted mainly by the parenteral pathway,
00:50 as well as the hepatitis B virus, and it is an extremely serious disease.
00:57 As often happens with viral hepatitis, the virus occurs in a subdued manner over time,
01:03 but then manifests itself with extreme gravity.
01:06 The Delta hepatitis is considered the most serious viral hepatitis that can affect humans.
01:13 It only affects in the presence of the hepatitis B virus,
01:17 so it is a defective virus that needs to grow and replicate the presence of the hepatitis B virus.
01:25 It is determined by extremely serious forms, such as cirrhosis,
01:29 hepatocarcinoma, and diseases that can lead to liver transplantation,
01:37 or, alas, lead to death.
01:40 To diagnose this hepatitis, we can use a blood sample.
01:45 The blood must contain antibodies against the Delta virus.
01:50 Once we find the antibodies, we will look for the presence of the virus,
01:55 which is a testimony that the infection has occurred,
01:58 that the infection is not spontaneously cured,
02:01 which would be demonstrated by the presence of the antibodies alone,
02:05 but the presence of the virus shows that the hepatitis is evolving towards the chronic form,
02:12 and then towards the serious form.
02:14 Obviously, the chronic Delta hepatitis suffers a lot from the national health system
02:21 because they are patients who, in the evolution of their disease,
02:24 often have to go to the doctors, often have to be treated.
02:29 Cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma are extremely serious diseases
02:33 that often require hospitalization,
02:36 so a serious expense for the national health service.
02:40 And, of course, when we have to go to the liver transplant,
02:46 it will be an additional expense.
02:48 So it is certainly a disease that has a very strong impact
02:52 on the expense of the national health service.
02:56 We don't have any vaccine for the Delta virus,
03:01 but we have some treatments.
03:03 Until a few months ago, we used Interferon,
03:09 which was a rarely active and very demanding drug,
03:13 very serious for the patient,
03:15 because it was a source of numerous side effects.
03:20 Today, finally, we have a new antiviral drug,
03:23 Bulivertide, which is a drug that prevents the virus from entering the cell.
03:29 It is an extremely active drug.
03:31 In 20% of cases, we have the complete disappearance of the virus from our body.
03:37 In 70% of cases, we have a significant reduction in the number of viruses.
03:43 So we have a slowdown, we can even stop the disease.
03:48 This is certainly a big step forward.
03:51 This drug is supplied through daily injections, under the skin.
03:57 It is now possible to use it also in Italy.