Animal model for hepatitis virus infection

摘要

Chimeric mouse and rat models useful as models for human hepatitis virus (HV) infection are disclosed. These chimeras are made by substantially destroying the hematopoietic cells of a host mouse or rat and then transplanting into the resultant animal hematopoietic cells from SCID mice. The resultant chimera is then used as a host for transplantation of xenogeneic liver tissue, including liver tissue from humans. The liver tissue may be infected with HV either prior to or after transplantation.