MUTE ERGO SUM - HEPATITIS-B AND THE FORCES OF EVOLUTION

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase has no editing function and thu s frequently transcribes its template incorrectly to result in viral v ariants that go under the name of ''mutants.'' These mutants may be vi ewed as part of a continuing Darwinian evolution of HBV with some surv ival benefit. They also result in unusual extrahepatic manifestations of HBV infection, which will doubtless continue to divert the hepatolo gist.