| abstract |
Kind Code: A1 Virus variants are provided that exhibit reduced sensitivity to certain drugs and / or have reduced interaction with immunological reagents. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleosides or nucleotide analogs and / or reduced interaction with antibodies to viral surface components, including reduced sensitivity to these antibodies . Furthermore, detection assays for such viral variants useful for monitoring antiviral therapeutic therapy as well as for developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents, particularly HBV variants. Also, the use of viral variants for screening and / or development or design of agents capable of inhibiting viral infection, replication, and / or release. [Selection figure] None |