Woodchuck Hepatitis B Virus (WHV) is a DNA virus belonging to the family Hepadnaviridae, specifically the Orthohepadnavirus genus. WHV is named after its natural host, the woodchuck (Marmota monax), and is used as a primary animal model for studying hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its related diseases in humans.
The WHV genome is circular, partially double-stranded DNA, similar to HBV, and contains four open reading frames (ORFs), which encode various viral proteins essential for replication and pathogenesis. WHV is primarily transmitted horizontally through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, such as blood or saliva, and can result in both acute and chronic infections in woodchucks.
Studying WHV in woodchucks has provided valuable insights into the pathogenesis, immune response, and natural history of HBV infection. The similarities between WHV and HBV, including their genomic organization and disease progression, make woodchucks an excellent model for evaluating new antiviral therapies and vaccines against HBV infection.
Furthermore, studies using WHV have contributed to understanding the mechanisms of viral replication, the role of viral proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, and the effectiveness of various antiviral interventions. Despite the natural host difference between WHV and HBV, the woodchuck model has proven highly advantageous for investigating HBV infection and developing strategies for its prevention and treatment.
