Hepatitis B and C viral replication

Hepatitis B and C viral replication refers to the distinct biological lifecycles of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) within human hepatocytes. HBV is a partially double-stranded DNA virus (Hepadnaviridae) that replicates via an RNA intermediate using a viral reverse transcriptase enzyme (NIH, 2023). In contrast, HCV is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus (Flaviviridae) that utilizes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase known as NS5B, along with other non-structural proteins like NS3/4A and NS5A, to replicate its genome (WHO, 2023). This term does not represent a single molecular target but rather a broad category of viral processes involving multiple distinct enzymes across two different viral families. Therapeutic strategies involve targeting specific viral components, such as the HBV polymerase or HCV non-structural proteins, to suppress viral load or achieve a sustained virologic response (CDC, 2023). Chronic infection by either virus is a major global health burden and a primary driver of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Other names

HBV and HCV replicationHepatitis viral lifecycleViral hepatitis replication

Inhibition of viral enzymes including DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase (for HBV) and NS3/4A protease, NS5A protein, or NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (for HCV).