# DUCK HEPATITIS B VIRUS:  INFECTION AND DISEASE

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1987 · $129,857

## Abstract

We propose to continue our studies of duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV)
infection of domestic ducks as an animal model of hepatitis B virus, which
is associated with hepatitis, hepatomas, and immune complex disease in
man.  DHBV is present in 5-10% of the Peking ducks of many domestic flocks
in the U.S.  We plan to investigate the long-term course of DHBV-infection
and document the associated disease.  Hepatomas have been observed in areas
of China where DHBV is endemic.  We will study duck hepatomas from China
and any that might appear in our flock for the presence of DHBV.  Tumors
will be analyzed for viral DNA by Southern blotting and integrated viral
DNA will be cloned for further characterization.  We will continue our
analysis of DHBV surface and core antigen polypeptides, and will produce
monoclonal as well as polyvalent antibodies to them to provide sensitive
serological tests.  We will study the appearance and relationship of
different viral DNA forms during the course of infection in embryonated
eggs, and attempt to grow virus in culture of duck embryo cells.  Finally
we will study the host range of DHBV by injection of the virus into
different varieties of ducks, other species of fowl, and non-avian
species.  This virus-host system may offer certain advantages over other
hepadna virus-host systems.  Among these is the ease with which ducks and
embryonated duck eggs can be obtained and experimentally manipulated, the
ease with which embryos can be infected, the ease with which embryonic
tissues can be cultured in vitro, the apparent difference in disease
manifestations in different hosts (acute hepatitis in Khaki Campbell and
not in Peking ducklings) and the possible association of the virus and
hepatomas in ducks in China.  These advantages justify the further
development of the duck virus system in order to understand the mechanism
of virus replication and the pathogenesis of diseases associated with
infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172235
- **Project number:** 5R01CA034514-05
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** WILLIAM S ROBINSON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $129,857
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1983-05-01 → 1988-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172235

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172235, DUCK HEPATITIS B VIRUS:  INFECTION AND DISEASE (5R01CA034514-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172235. Licensed CC0.

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