Pathogenicity and Virulence of Hepatitis B Virus

Overview

Journal Virulence

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2022 Jan 31

PMID 35100095

Authors

Yu-Chen Chuang

Kuen-Nan Tsai

Jing-Hsiung James Ou

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus and an important human pathogen. There are an estimated 296 million people in the world that are chronically infected by this virus, and many of them will develop severe liver diseases including hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV is a small DNA virus that replicates via the reverse transcription pathway. In this review, we summarize the molecular pathways that govern the replication of HBV and its interactions with host cells. We also discuss viral and non-viral factors that are associated with HBV-induced carcinogenesis and pathogenesis, as well as the role of host immune responses in HBV persistence and liver pathogenesis.

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