DHBV

DHBV, or Duck Hepatitis B Virus, is a hepadnavirus that infects ducks. It is closely related to the human Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and serves as an important animal model for studying hepadnaviral replication and pathogenesis. DHBV was first identified in Pekin ducks in 1980. The virus has a circular, partially double-stranded DNA genome and replicates through an RNA intermediate via reverse transcription.

Infection with DHBV in ducks is typically chronic and asymptomatic, with no apparent liver disease. This is a key difference from human HBV infection, which can lead to serious liver conditions such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, DHBV infection is characterized by high levels of viremia and persistent shedding of the virus in feces and eggs, making it an efficient transmitter among duck populations.

Research using DHBV has provided crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms of hepadnavirus replication, including the roles of the viral polymerase and pregenomic RNA. Studies have also explored the immune response to DHBV in ducks, which appears to be less effective in clearing the virus compared to the immune response to HBV in humans. Due to its accessibility and the lack of severe disease in the animal host, DHBV remains a valuable tool for developing and testing potential antiviral therapies and vaccines for Hepatitis B.