cytopathic effects of hepatitis viruses

[Dr. M.C. Diffin]

It has been put to me (by an individual arguing against the hiv-aids hypothesis)
that some of the hepatitis viruses (perhaps hep a in particular) are directly
cytopathic to immune cells in a way analagous to hiv.

Does anyone know if this happens to a  significant extent and, if so, if it is
important in the pathogenesis of hepatitis infecions as the individual implies?
To my knowledge, I thought that it was diffficult to prove cytopathic effects
in some of the hepatitis group.

Please reply directly if possible. I can then repost the responses if
appropriate.

Thanks.

Michael.

-- 
___________________________________________________________________________
Michael Diffin
INTERNET: mcd12 at hermes.cam.ac.uk, mdiffin at hgmp.mrc.ac.uk