Vertical transmission of woodchuck hepatitis virus

One newborn and 24 fetal woodchuck litters from a woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) endemic population were examined for serological or hepatic evidence of WHV. In 18 of 24 fetal litters, there was detectable WHV DNA in the livers, either at explant culture or tissue extract. Most of those WHV DNA-positive liver extracts, which were examined by Southern blot, showed integration of WHV. However, WHV DNA replicative forms without integration were demonstrated in livers of two litters from late gestation. Woodchuck hepatitis surface antigen was detected in the sera of two other fetal litters from the late gestation period. WHV DNA was demonstrated in sera of three litters at different stages of ontogeny.