Semin Liver Dis 2004; 24: 3-10
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-828672
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Molecular Virology of Hepatitis B Virus

Stephen Locarnini1
  • 1Head, Research and Molecular Development, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, North Melbourne, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
11 June 2004 (online)

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has evolved a unique life cycle that results in the production of enormous viral loads during active replication without actually killing the infected cell directly. Because HBV uses reverse transcription to copy its DNA genome, mutant viral genomes emerge frequently. Particular selection pressures, both endogenous (host immune clearance) and exogenous (vaccines and antiviral drugs), readily select out these escape mutants. Which particular viral mutations or combination of mutations directly affect the clinical outcome of infection are not known. Further studies are clearly needed to identify the pathogenic basis and clinical sequelae arising from the selection of these mutants.

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 Professor
Stephen Locarnini

Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory

10 Wreckyn Street, North Melbourne

Victoria 3051, Australia

Email: stephenlocarnini@compuserve.com

Email: stephen.locarnini@mh.org.au

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