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Hepatitis D Virus (HDV)

Hepatitis D (HDV) testing is essential for patients who are HBsAg positive, as an estimated 3–5% may be coinfected. ¹
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Why Hepatitis D testing matters

HDV is a defective virus that cannot replicate independently and requires the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) produced by Hepatitis B virus (HBV) to complete its lifecycle. As a result, HDV infection occurs only in individuals with HBV infection. HDV is considered the most aggressive form of viral hepatitis2 and is associated with the fastest progression to cirrhosis and liver-related complications2. With new and emerging therapies in development2, early identification through appropriate testing is increasingly important to enable timely intervention, guide clinical management, and improve long-term patient outcomes.

Current Hepatitis D virus guideline recommendations

Leading liver disease societies recommend HDV screening in patients with Hepatitis B infection:

  • The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommends Hepatitis D virus (HDV) testing for all HBsAg-positive individuals who are at increased risk for HDV infection, including persons who inject drugs, men who have sex with men, those with HIV infection, and individuals from regions with high HDV endemicity.²

  • The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) recommends universal HDV testing for all patients who are HBsAg-positive, regardless of risk factors.²

  • The Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) advises HDV testing for patients with chronic HBV infection and clinical or laboratory evidence of liver disease.³

Why partner with Labcorp

Clinical support for Hepatitis care

Labcorp offers guideline-aligned hepatitis testing panels designed to support appropriate screening, diagnosis, and disease monitoring. Automated reflex testing pathways help streamline the diagnostic process by advancing patients from screening to confirmatory testing without requiring additional provider orders. With broad national access and expert interpretive support, clinicians receive clear and actionable insights to guide patient management.

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Streamlined testing workflows

Labcorp simplifies hepatitis testing workflows through efficient ordering processes and integrated electronic health record connectivity. These capabilities reduce administrative burden for clinical staff while enabling timely result reporting. A nationwide network of patient service centers ensures convenient specimen collection and consistent access to testing.

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Supporting population health

Comprehensive hepatitis testing solutions help health systems expand screening programs and support population health initiatives. Earlier detection and prompt linkage to care facilitate more timely intervention, which may help reduce progression to advanced liver disease and long-term 

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Questions about our Hepatitis D portfolio?

References

  1. Patel EU et al. – U.S. HDV Prevalence (Journal of Infectious Diseases) - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6439036/
  2. AASLD – Hepatitis D Diagnosis & Management - https://www.aasld.org/liver-fellow-network/core-series/clinical-pearls/hepatitis-d-diagnosis-and-management
  3. EASL – Clinical Practice Guidelines on HDV - https://easl.eu/publication/the-management-of-hepatitis-b-virus-infection-2017/