Cloned hepatitis delta virus cDNA is infectious in the chimpanzee.
A head-to-tail trimer of a full-length cDNA clone of the hepatitis delta virus (HDV) genome was examined for infectivity by direct inoculation into the liver of a chimpanzee that was already infected with hepatitis B virus. Five weeks after inoculation, a marked elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase activity was observed, followed by the appearance of high levels of HDV RNA and antigen in both liver and serum and a high level of viral particles in the serum. A transient suppression of hepatitis B virus replication was evident during the acute phase of HDV infection. Seroconversion for antibodies to delta antigen occurred 3 weeks after the onset of the disease. These results demonstrate that a typical HDV infection can be initiated by inoculation of a susceptible animal with recombinant HDV cDNA.
Department of Virology and Immunology, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, San Antonio, Texas 78284.
C
C
Sureau
J
J
Taylor
M
M
Chao
J W
JW
Eichberg
R E
RE
Lanford
D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics*; D004261:DNA Replication; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D003698:Hepatitis Delta Virus / Q000235:genetics*; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D014162:Transfection
D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D004247:DNA