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| | Comparison between Hepatitis Delta virus and Hepatitis B virus |
 | | In today’s world, the Hepatitis B Virus is still a fairly prevalent retrovirus that mainly infects hepatocytes (liver cells); currently, over 2 billion people worldwide have been infected, and the virus causes various forms of liver damage including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (Vanlandschoot, 2003). |
 | | HDV is considered to be a satellite virus of Hepatitis B because by itself, HDV is unable to replicate completely (Goto et all, 2003). |
 | | The Hepatitis Delta structure is similar to the Hepatitis B structure, it is comprised of an envelope protein, circular genomic RNA, and delta antigens (Bordier, et all). |
| www.cas.vanderbilt.edu /fanninglab/virology/hdv-hbv.htm (2445 words) |
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