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HAV is a member of the Picornaviridae family. HAV is a non-enveloped (naked) virus of 27–28 nm diameter without morphological features differentiating it from other picornaviruses. Although six genotypes of HAV have been identified, there appears to be no variation detectable by serology in these neutralization sites. The virus is relatively stable at low pH and moderate temperatures, but is inactivated by high temperature (almost instantly at 85°C/185°F), and by formalin or chlorine. HAV itself is not cytopathic and the liver-cell damage is caused by the cell-mediated immune response. |
