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Hepatitis B virus DNA in peripheral blood leukocytes: A brief review
Author(s) -
Harrison Tim J.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890310107
Subject(s) - virology , virus , biology , hepatitis c virus , peripheral blood , dna virus , transmission (telecommunications) , dna , immunology , genome , genetics , gene , electrical engineering , engineering
Despite being essentially hepatotropic, hepatitis B virus has frequently been detected in peripheral blood leukocytes. In most cases, viral DNA has been detected by hybridisation, though, occasionally, evidence of viral RNA and virus‐specific proteins has been reported. Though definitive evidence is lacking, it appears likely that the virus is able to replicate in at least a subfraction of these cells. The possible consequences with respect to the transmission and reactivation of virus infections are discussed.