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Hepatitis A Virus Essay

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Introduction:

Hepatitis A virus (formerly known as Enterovirus 72) has a long history and it still has a big impact on human populations in the modern world. From time of the ancient Greek doctor Hippocrates, Hepatitis A virus (HAV) was noted for causing jaundice. By the 8th century, it was realized that icteric disease was caused by an infectious agent. Later in the history, in 1885, it was discovered by scientists that hepatitis could be spread through blood transfusions. Now, it is well- known that the virus is mainly transmitted via fecal-oral route which results from contamination of food and water by fecal matter and direct contact with infected individuals. Initially another icteric agent, Hepatitis B virus, was isolated in 1973 …show more content…

However, later studies that tried to transmit viral hepatitis to non-human primates gave negative results. In the current time, humans are known to be the only host for hepatitis A virus. Up to date, single human serotype and 4 distinct genotypes of the virus are detected(2). HAV is noted as being a highly stable virus in high temperature and low pH conditions(3).
Replication of HAV: HAV targets hepatocytes which are cells of main tissue of liver. The virus is non-enveloped as it is released from the host cell via lysis of the host cell membrane without acquiring a lipid bilayer membrane from the host. Site of replication for HAV is cytoplasm of the host cell. Upon detection of hepatitis a virus cellular receptor on the target cell by viral capsid protein(s), the viral capsid undergoes conformational change releasing its genome into the host cell cytoplasm. Primary event followed by uncoating process is translation of ss (+) RNA of virus which serves as a, mRNA, translational template. Genome of HAV is a single stranded (+) RNA containing 5‘ nontranslated region (5‘ NTR), a single large open reading frame (ORF) , and a short 3’ NTR followed by a poly(A) tail(4). 5’ end of the RNA genome contains VPg protein bound to it. VPg acts as a primer during replication of viral genome. Host cell mRNA contains 5‘ cap which is

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