Delta agent superinfection. Rapidly progressive liver disease in a hepatitis B virus carrier.

We report a case of rapidly progressive chronic active hepatitis (CAH) following acute delta infection in a previously asymptomatic hepatitis B virus carrier. Serologic evidence of delta superinfection coincided with an acute icteric hepatitis, and was followed by the development of clinically evident chronic liver disease. The liver biopsy specimens documented the acute hepatitis and subsequent progression of severe CAH. This case illustrates the clinical and pathologic changes that may follow acute delta infection in chronic hepatitis B carriers.