A newly identified hepatitis B type virus in tree squirrels.
- 1 April 1986
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Vol. 83 (7) , 2233-2237
- https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.83.7.2233
Abstract
Virus-associated particles have been isolated from the livers of three common gray tree squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis pennsylvanicus) that have histological evidence of hepatitis. Two of these livers were also positive by orcein staining, suggesting the presence of surface antigen in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. Fractionation of these particles by CsCl density equilibrium gradient centrifugation and assay of the fractions for surface antigen, core antigen, and DNA polymerase activities demonstrate the presence of all three at an approximate density peak of 1.27. Electron microscopic examination of purified virus preparations showed spherical particles with a mean diameter of 25 nm. Initial characterization of the DNA polymerase product by gel electrophoresis showed a single DNase I sensitive band, migrating slightly faster than the woodchuck hepatitis virus DNA polymerase product. The presence of apparently cross-reacting antibodies was demonstrated by purified hepatitis B surface and/or core antigens binding to some squirrel sera in solid phase assays. Infected tree squirrels appear to lack detectable antigen in their sera. These results suggest that the tree squirrels studied are chronic carriers of a hepatitis B type virus. The host-virus interaction described herein may be useful in understanding the chronic carrier state associated with hepatitis B in man.This publication has 27 references indexed in Scilit:
- Hepatitis B virus DNA forms in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions of infected human liverVirology, 1984
- Hepadna Viruses: Hepatitis B and Related VirusesPublished by Springer Nature ,1983
- Replication of the genome of a hepatitis B-like virus by reverse transcription of an RNA intermediatePublished by Elsevier ,1982
- Electron microscopy of human hepatitis B virus cores by negative staining-carbon film techniqueJournal of Medical Virology, 1982
- Dane particle DNA polymerase and HBeAg: Impact on clinical, laboratory, and histologic findings in hepatitis B-associated chronic liver diseaseHepatology, 1981
- A virus in Beechey ground squirrels that is related to hepatitis B virus of humans.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1980
- Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets: procedure and some applications.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1979
- A virus similar to human hepatitis B virus associated with hepatitis and hepatoma in woodchucks.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1978
- ANTI-e IN PRIMARY HEPATIC CARCINOMAThe Lancet, 1976
- DNA and DNA polymerase in the core of the Dane particle of hepatitis BThe Lancet Healthy Longevity, 1975