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The Molecular Biology of GB Viruses

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Hepatitis Viruses

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Abstract

Following the development of specific and sensitive assays for the detection of the five recognized human hepatotropic viruses, it became apparent that additional human hepatitis viruses must exist as 5–20% of community-acquired and parenterally transmitted hepatitis cases could not be attributed to the known viruses. Further evidence for the existence of such viruses included varying incubation periods prior to disease onset (1), multiple disease episodes (2), chronic or fulminant hepatitis of cryptogenic origin (3, 4), and the visualization of virus-like particles (5–7). Finally, serial passage of the filterable GB agent was described in non-human primates (8, 9). This agent, originally obtained from a surgeon experiencing acute hepatitis, was inoculated into tamarins that later developed acute biochemical hepatitis. Although the disease could be further passaged in these animals, isolation of the putative agent remained elusive.

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  1. Abbott Laboratories, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA

    Thomas P. Leary & Isa K. Mushahwar

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  1. University of Southern California, USA

    J.-H. James Ou

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Leary, T.P., Mushahwar, I.K. (2002). The Molecular Biology of GB Viruses. In: Ou, JH.J. (eds) Hepatitis Viruses. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0881-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-0881-6_7

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