HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) is primarily transmitted from
infected blood exposure as in a blood transfusion, needle sharing of IV drugs, or mother
to fetus during delivery.
Once the HBV is in the blood
stream, it begins to replicate in the hepatocyte (liver cell). This replication
interferes with liver function leading into acute hepatitis. Replication during this
stage occurs when the virus enters the hepatocyte through
endocytosis.
The virus's DNA is then transferred to the
host's nucleus by way of the host's special protein called chaperones. Once inside the
host's nucleus, the virus DNA is made into a full double stranded DNA through a critical
enzyme called Reverse Transcriptase. Once it is a double stranded DNA, this allows the
virus DNA to serve as a template to make RNA. One of the RNA's (mRNA) is transported
back into the cytoplasm of the cell. Through this process and the enzyme Reverse
Transcriptase the virus (virion life cycle
continues).
Virion life cycles are more difficult than
perhaps a parasites life cycle due to the mutations viruses can
have.
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