Reflex Testing for Hepatitis D Infection: A Unique Opportunity to Reduce Hepatitis D-Related Chronic Liver Disease Deaths in Australia

Chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection always occurs as a coinfection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and is the most severe form of viral hepatitis, associated with a high risk of cirrhosis, liver cancer and death. Effective treatment is now available for HDV–HBV coinfection and HDV screening is recommended for all people living with HBV, yet most people in Australia with HDV–HBV are diagnosed too late to prevent complications. This article calls for an urgent change in HDV testing policy and funding to implement reflex HDV antibody (anti-HDV) testing for all people diagnosed with HBV infection, thus enabling timely diagnosis of HDV–HBV coinfection and rapid access to life-saving treatment.