Variants of hepatitis B virus.
Variations in the course of disease caused by hepatitis B virus may often be attributed to genomic variants of the virus. It must be kept in mind, however, that other factors, i.e. immunocompetence of the host and new methods of detection such as PCR, may also result in apparently aberrant phenotypic expression. Examples of both situations are presented here and the need is stressed for combined virological, biochemical and clinical studies.
Bonino
F
F
Division of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Torino, Italy.
Brunetto
M R
MR
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D010641:Phenotype; D013997:Time Factors
D004279:DNA, Viral