Hepatitis D is a form of what type of infection?

Hepatitis D is classified as a coinfection with Hepatitis B because it cannot replicate or cause infection on its own without the presence of the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis D virus (HDV) relies on the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) for its envelope proteins and is only acquired by individuals already infected with HBV. This relationship is crucial for understanding the transmission and progression of the disease, as co-infection can lead to more severe liver disease compared to having HBV or HDV alone.

In contrast, monoinfection would refer to an infection where only a single pathogen is involved, while secondary infection denotes an infection that occurs after an initial infection has compromised the immune system. A chronic infection suggests that an individual has an infection persisting over time, which could apply to Hepatitis types; however, specifically characterizing Hepatitis D requires acknowledging its dependence on Hepatitis B. Thus, recognizing that Hepatitis D is a coinfection with Hepatitis B clarifies its unique nature in the context of virology and infectious disease.