Adeno-associated virus in the liver: natural history and consequences in tumour development

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a defective mono-stranded DNA virus, endemic in human population (35%-80%). Recurrent clonal AAV2 insertions are associated with the pathogenesis of rare human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed on normal liver. This study aimed to characterise the natural history of AAV infection in the liver and its consequence in tumour development.Viral DNA was quantified in tumour and non-tumour liver tissues of 1461...