Core antigen and antibody in woodchucks after infection with woodchuck hepatitis virus

作者：Antonio Ponzetto, Paul J. Côté, Eugenie C. Ford, Robert H. Purcell, John L. Gerin · 发表于：Journal of Virology · 年份：1984 · DOI：10.1128/jvi.52.1.70-76.1984 · 被引用次数：63 · 研究领域：Hepatitis B Virus Studies、Animal Virus Infections Studies、Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology

The woodchuck hepatitis virus is a naturally occurring hepatitis B-like virus that infects the eastern woodchuck. Direct immunofluorescence staining for woodchuck hepatitis virus core antigen in liver biopsies demonstrated the presence of this antigen in 14 of 17 chronically infected woodchucks, and in 8 of 10 woodchucks undergoing acute infections. Fluorescent localization of woodchuck hepatitis virus core antigen was typically cytoplasmic, and this was confirmed further by electron microscopy. Experimental infection with woodchuck hepatitis virus was achieved in four of four woodchucks inoculated with serum from chronic carrier woodchucks. All infected animals developed a self-limited disease characterized by seroconversion to antibodies against the major viral antigens (core and surface antigens); naturally acquired acute infection demonstrated a similar course. A chimpanzee seronegative for all markers of hepatitis B virus developed a subclinical infection after inoculation with woodchuck hepatitis virus.