The hepatitis B virus is a DNA virus distinguished by its partially double-stranded genome and its use of reverse transcriptase. Highly resilient and very contagious, it targets hepatocytes and can cause acute infections or even lifelong chronic disease, reamaining as a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

DOI: 10.1038/281646a0 (October/25/1979)

Authors: E. Oñate, P. Palmer, T. Leonel and M. Pujals. (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)