【Abstract】 Objective To establish a tree shrew model of hepatitis B virus acute infection by the injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 vector carrying 1.3 copies of HBV genome (ayw subtype)(rAAV8-1.3HBV) into the liver of tree shrews. Methods The serum and liver tissues of tree shrews were collected at indicated times after the i.v injection of rAAV8-1.3HBV. The HBsAg、HBeAg、HBsAb、HBeAb、HBcAb、ALT and HBV virus load were measured by ELISA and real-time PCR respectively. The expression of HBcAg and the pathological changes in liver were also detected after the rAAV8-1.3HBV infection. Results The HBsAg and HBeAg in serum were all positive 2 weeks after the injection and the HBcAg positive hepatocytes were even detected in the liver 55days after rAAV8-1.3HBV injection. The HBV DNA copies reached 104 -105 in liver on the day55 and could be detected in serum for over one month after rAAV8-1.3HBV infection. Mild pathological changes were observed with ALT kept rising after rAAV8-1.3HBV injection. Conclusion Acute HBV infection model in tree shrew was developed successfully by the administration of rAAV8-1.3HBV. Our study contributes to the establishment of a novel and facility animal model.