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Updated: Jun 22, 2026
09:02
Modeling Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Non-Hepatic 293T-NE-3NRs Cells
Published on: June 5, 2020
Hepatitis B virus infection in non-human primates
P Sa-Nguanmoo1, P Rianthavorn, S Amornsawadwattana
1Center of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Acta Virologica
|June 23, 2009
Summary
Hepatitis B viruses (HBVs) infect millions globally and are found in non-human primates. Understanding primate HBVs is crucial to prevent cross-transmission to humans, especially for those in close contact with these animals.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Zoonotic Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis B viruses (HBVs) affect 350-400 million people worldwide.
- Non-human primates, including great apes and gibbons, are hosts for HBVs, with high carrier rates in gibbons (23-33%) and orangutans (15%).
- The genetic makeup of primate HBVs closely resembles human HBVs, raising concerns about interspecies transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and genetic relatedness of Hepatitis B viruses in non-human primates.
- To assess the potential for cross-transmission of Hepatitis B viruses between non-human primates and humans.
- To highlight the role of non-human primates as reservoirs for various viruses, including HBVs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative genomic analysis of human and non-human primate HBV strains.
- Prevalence studies in non-human primate populations.
- Review of existing literature on HBV cross-transmission.
Main Results:
- Non-human primate HBVs share significant genomic similarity with human HBVs.
- While human-to-primate transmission is documented, primate-to-human HBV transmission has not yet been reported.
- Non-human primates are identified reservoirs for multiple viruses, including HBVs, posing risks to humans in close contact.
Conclusions:
- Non-human primates represent a significant reservoir for Hepatitis B viruses, with potential for zoonotic transmission.
- Veterinarians, zookeepers, and others with close contact with non-human primates are at risk of infection.
- Increased awareness and research into non-human primate HBVs are essential for preventing viral spread and cross-transmission.
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