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Hepatitis viruses: characterization and diagnostic techniques.
The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Two major human hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), are characterized. Advanced diagnostics reveal "non-A, non-B" hepatitis agents, though their specific antigens remain elusive.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Hepatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Two human hepatitis viruses, Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV), are known.
- Additional hepatitis agents are suspected to exist.
- HAV is an RNA virus, while HBV is a DNA virus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize known hepatitis viruses (HAV and HBV).
- To investigate the nature of unidentified hepatitis agents.
- To explore advancements in diagnostic assays for viral hepatitis.
Main Methods:
- Application of sensitive and specific immunologic assays.
- Biochemical and biophysical characterization of viruses.
- Recombinant DNA technology for HBV genetic material analysis.
- In vitro cultivation of HAV.
Main Results:
- Distinct serologic response patterns, new antigenic markers, and epidemiologic features of HAV and HBV were identified.
- HBV genetic material was cloned using recombinant DNA technology, but in vitro cultivation failed.
- HAV was successfully cultivated in vitro.
- Sensitive tests revealed "non-A, non-B" agents in transfusion-associated hepatitis and other cases.
- These agents were transmitted to chimpanzees, with putative antigen-antibody systems described but not definitively linked.
Conclusions:
- HAV and HBV are distinct viruses with characterized properties.
- Sensitive diagnostic tools have improved the understanding of viral hepatitis.
- "Non-A, non-B" hepatitis agents are significant, transmissible, but not yet fully identified.
- Further research is needed to establish specific viral associations for non-A, non-B hepatitis.