How is hepatitis B virus replicated?
Hepadnaviruses, including human hepatitis B virus (HBV), replicate through reverse transcription of an RNA intermediate, the pregenomic RNA (pgRNA). Despite this kinship to retroviruses, there are fundamental differences beyond the fact that hepadnavirions contain DNA instead of RNA.
What is the taxonomy of hepatitis B?
Classification. Hepatitis B virus is classified in the genus Orthohepadnavirus, which contains 11 other species. The genus is classified as part of the Hepadnaviridae family, which contains four other genera, Avihepadnavirus, Herpetohepadnavirus, Metahepadnavirus and Parahepadnavirus.
What is the treatment of hepatitis B positive?
Treatment for chronic hepatitis B may include: Antiviral medications. Several antiviral medications — including entecavir (Baraclude), tenofovir (Viread), lamivudine (Epivir), adefovir (Hepsera) and telbivudine (Tyzeka) — can help fight the virus and slow its ability to damage your liver.
What is the life cycle of hepatitis B virus?
The HBV life cycle is unique in that the genomic DNA (relaxed-circular partially double-stranded DNA: rcDNA) is converted to a molecular template DNA (covalently closed circular DNA: cccDNA) to amplify a viral RNA intermediate, which is then reverse-transcribed back to viral DNA.
Does sperm contain hepatitis B virus?
Viral load: Semen, vaginal fluids and blood all contain the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and the higher the viral load, the more infectious one’s blood and body fluids are. However, having an undetectable viral load doesn’t mean you won’t infected someone during unsafe sex.
Is hepatitis B virus RNA or DNA?
Hepatitis B virus, a major worldwide infectious and cancer promoting agent contains a DNA genome of 3226 base pairs that replicates by a reverse transcriptase via an RNA intermediate.
Where is hepatitis B virus found?
Hepatitis B virus can be found in the blood and, to a lesser extent, saliva, semen and other body fluids of an infected person. It is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids; usually by needle stick injury or sexual contact. Hepatitis B virus is not spread by casual contact.