Peginterferon, Adefovir, or Both for Chronic Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection

Although hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is uncommon in the U.S., it is highly prevalent in other parts of the world, especially in the Mediterranean. HDV is a defective RNA virus that requires coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) to replicate. Yet, no approved therapy currently exists; standard interferon therapy has limited efficacy, and earlier-generation oral agents (e.g., lamivudine) are ineffective. However, on the basis of recent pilot studies, peginterferon or adefovir dipivoxil might be effective against HDV infection.

To investigate further, researchers conducted an industry-sponsored, randomized, controlled trial involving 90 patients with HDV who were positive for HDV antibody and HDV RNA and were coinfected with HBV. P…