Treatment with inactivated ORFV reduces HBV core antigen (HBcAg) in HBV-transgenic mice (n = 7/group).

*Scores of anti-HbcAg stain: Nuclei: grade 3: the majority of nuclei in the liver specimens revealed intense immunostaining; grade 2: the number of positive nuclei was slightly reduced predominantly at the periphery of the liver lobule; grade 1: further reduction of positive nuclei was observed. Cytoplasm: grade 3: strong staining of numerous hepatocytes was observed around the central veins; grade 2: the cytoplasmic staining was reduced; grade 1: a further reduction or even absence of cytoplasmic immunostaining was observed. The histological slides were cross-checked by an independent pathologist and the results confirmed.The severity of HBcAG-specific stain was quantified according to a scoring from 1 to 3*.