DUCK HEPATITIS-B VIRUS (DHBV) AS A MODEL FOR UNDERSTANDING HEPADNAVIRUS NEUTRALIZATION

The role of the immune response to the human hepatitis B virus (HBV) e nvelope proteins in neutralization of viral infectivity has been well documented. The similarity between HBV, prototype member of the hepadn avirus family, and the closely related duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) h as allowed, use of the latter as a convenient model for the study of m olecular mechanisms of HBV replication and neutralization. In this bri ef review, we will examine the HBV and DHBV envelope proteins and thei r role as targets for virus neutralization.