Question
Simultaneous infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) followed by full recovery is associated with the appearance of:
| A. |
Low titres of anti-HDV antibody, IgM type
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| B. |
Low titres of anti-HDV antibody, IgA type
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| C. |
High titres of anti-HDV antibody, IgM type
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| D. |
High titres of anti-HDV antibody, IgG type
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Show Answer
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Correct Answer » A
Explanation
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HBV–HDV coinfection occurs when HBV and HDV are acquired simultaneously.
In an acute coinfection that subsequently resolves:
- HDV infection is generally self-limited.
- Anti-HDV IgM appears during the acute phase.
- In uncomplicated, resolved coinfection, the antibody response is transient and relatively low-titer.
- Therefore, the characteristic finding tested by this question is low-titer anti-HDV IgM.
This contrasts with HDV superinfection, in which HDV infects someone who already has chronic HBV. Superinfection has a much greater tendency toward severe disease and chronic HDV infection, with persistent/high-titer anti-HDV antibodies.
