Effects of amphotericin B on hepatitis B virus.

We investigated the effects of amphotericin B (AmB) on the ultrastructure and biochemistry of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles. These effects were compared with those reported for AmB and other polyene antibiotics on other lipid-enveloped viruses and artificial membranes. Treatment of HBV particles with concentrations of AmB ranging from 5 to 250 microgram/ml resulted in (i) an increase in HBV deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase activity as the concentration of Amb increased; (ii) changes in the electron microscopic appearance of HBV ranging from increased penetration of negative stain into the lipid envelope to disruption of the virus; and (iii) an increase in density form 1.165 to 1.225 g/ml. In addition, AmB treatment of HBsAg particles resulted in disruption into a nonparticulate HBsAg-reactive fraction and an HBsAg-AmB complex fraction with no HBsAg immunoreactivity.