Viroid-like RNA

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is widespread throughout human populations, specially in Asia and Africa, and it has been estimated that over 200 million carriers exist, some of whom are eventually expected to develop liver carcinoma or cirrhosis. HBV shows a strict tropism for liver hepatocytes in which it displays a protected replication with resultant foci of liver necrosis. The virus is a member of the Hepadnaviridae, along with several other species, and it replicates by a mechanism which appears to be unique to this family. In contrast, hepatitis A virus is a picornavirus and the hepatitis D agent appears to be a viroid-like RNA enclosed within a hepatitis B capsid, and consequently depends upon its association with the HBV for its spread and survival. Control may be effected by passive immunization (with hyperimmune globulin) or by various types of vaccines which are currently being developed and improved. Specific chemotherapy has not been consistently successful, but in some countries (e g., India and China), plant extracts have provided some success. 

Subviral RNA http //subviial.med.uottawa.ca/ Viroid/viroid-like RNAs... 

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