You can view a diagram and electron micrographs of the virus structure. Clinical Features Incubation period 2 - 5 months Insidious onset of symptoms. Tends to cause a more severe disease than Hepatitis A. Asymptomatic infections occur frequently. Pathogenesis Infection is parenterally transmitted . The virus replicates in the liver and virus particles, as well as excess viral surface protein, are shed in large amounts into the blood.
Viraemia is prolonged and the blood of infected individuals is highly infectious .
The virus persists in the hepatocytes and on-going liver damage occurs because of the host immune response against the infected liver cells. Chronic Active Hepatitis - There is aggressive destruction of liver tissue and rapid progression to cirrhosis or liver failure. Virus DNA can integrate into the host chromosome. Carriage rates vary markedly in different areas. In South Africa, infection is much more common in rural communities than in the cities.