Eighth Major Clade for Hepatitis Delta Virus

Abstract

Hepatitis delta virus is the only representative of the Deltavirus genus, which consists of 7 differentiated major clades. In this study, an eighth clade was identified from 3 distinct strains. Deltavirus genetic variability should be considered for diagnostic purposes. Clinical consequences of the diversity have yet to be evaluated.

Keywords

• Hepatitis delta virus
• Deltavirus genus
• molecular epidemiology
• phylogenetic analysis
• emerging virus
• chronic hepatitis