Hepadnaviridae
Hepatitis B: Picture courtesy of
www.research.amnh.org/exhibitions/ epidemic/hepb.html
Hepadnaviridae (Hepa = liver; dna = deoxyribonucleic acid) includes one virus that is pathogenic to man: Hepatitis B virus (HBV). As their names imply, all of the known hepadnaviruses are hepatotropic, infecting liver cells, and all can cause hepatitis in their known host. Hepatitis is the a syndrome characterized by inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by hepatitis viruses (not necessarily in the Hepadnavirus family), other viruses, amebas, and non-infectious agents such as alcohol and acetaminophen.
The hepadnaviurses include three viruses of mammals and two viruses of birds. The mammalian viruses are closely related. For instance, Hepatitis B and Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus are 60% genetically identical. All have a very narrow host range.
Members of the Hepadna family include:
Genus Orthohepadnavirus
| Virus Member | Natural Host | Transmission | Disease |
| Hepatitis B (HBV) | Humans, chimps, gibbons, wooly monkeys | IDU, sexual, blood, vertical | ACS, hepatitis, cirrhosis, HCC |
| Ground Squirrel Hepatitis B | Ground squirrels, woodchucks, chipmunks | Sexual, blood | ACS, hepatitis, HCC |
| Woodchuck Hepatitis B | Woodchucks | Sexual, blood | ACS, hepatitis, HCC |
Genus Avihepadnavirus
| Virus Member | Natural Host | Transmission | Disease |
| Duck Hepatitis B | Ducks, Geese | Predominantly vertical | ACS, hepatitis |
| Heron Hepatitis B | Herons | Predominantly vertical | ACS, hepatitis |
Abbreviations: ACS: Asymptomatic Carrier State; HCC: Hepatocellular Carcinoma; IDU: Injecting Drug User
History of Hepatitis B (obtained from 1999 T. Chang's viral web page)
Other hepatitis viruses that are not associated with the Hepadnavirus family include:
Hepatitis A (Picornaviridae)
Hepatitis C (Flaviviridae)
Hepatitis Delta (unclassified)
Hepatitis E (unassigned)
Hepatitis G (Flavirviridae)
Previous Hepadnaviridae Web Pages
This webpage was constructed by Alison Silvis and Susanna Tan for HumBio115a: Humans and Viruses course taught by Dr. Robert D. Siegel at Stanford University.