Animal delta-like viruses (Kolmioviridae: Deltavirus) and the origin of the human hepatitis D virus (HDV)

Abstract

Hepatitis D (delta, δ) virus (HDV) was discovered more than 40 years ago, but the understanding of its origin and evolution is poor. This is mainly due to the lack, until recently, of data on the existence of any viruses similar to HDV. The discovery in recent years of sequences of new delta-like agents in a wide range of vertebrate (Vertebrata) and invertebrate (Invertebrata) species has facilitated a revision of views on the origin of HDV and contributed to understanding the place of this unique virus among other animals’ viral agents. The purpose of this review is to analyze the latest published data on new delta-like agents and their biological characteristics.