[Factors influencing long-term hepatitis B virus infection of the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis) as an in vivo model of chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To determine the methods for establishing an in vivo model of long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the Chinese tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri chinensis).

Methods: Seventy-seven neonate (1-3 days old) and 49 young adult (2 weeks to 1 year old) tree shrews were inoculated with different HBV sources (chronic hepatitis B (CHB) human patient serum, single or pooled; HBV-infected tree shrew serum, single only; HBV-infected HepG2.2.