Work

Protection of chimpanzees from type B hepatitis by immunization with woodchuck hepatitis virus surface antigen

Year: 1986

Type: article

Abstract: 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.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.60.3.895-901.1986

Authors: P J Cote, M Shapiro, R E Engle, H Popper, R H Purcell, J L Gerin

Language: English

Topic: Hepatitis B Virus Studies

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Awards: OPERATE MOLECULAR VIROLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY LABORATORY, G2250204552, FACILITY FOR NONHUMAN PRIMATES FOR VIRAL HEPATITIS, G7804479891