Protection of chimpanzees from type B hepatitis by immunization with woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen.
Two chimpanzees immunized with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) surface antigen (WHsAg) developed antibodies cross-reactive with hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg). After challenge with HBV, one animal was completely protected and the other experienced a subclinical infection, without evidence of liver disease. Three woodchucks immunized with HBsAg developed antibodies to HBsAg which did not cross-react with WHsAg. After challenge with WHV, all three woodchucks developed typical acute infections with associated hepatic lesions. Serological studies with the cross-reactive antibodies raised in chimpanzees suggested that the protective epitopes of WHsAg were related to the group a specificity of HBsAg. These studies indicated that cross-protective epitopes are shared by HBV and WHV; however, the humoral response to these epitopes can vary among species.
D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001667:Binding, Competitive; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology*; D006518:Hepatitis Viruses / Q000276:immunology*; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007114:Immunization; D008392:Marmota / Q000382:microbiology; D002679:Pan troglodytes; D013045:Species Specificity
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies