Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation Following Immunosuppression in HBsAg(+) Carriers

Richard M Wu, Hie-Won L Hann

Abstract


HBV reactivation occurs in HBsAg(+) carriers who have undergone immunosuppressive therapy such as Rituximab treatment, chemotherapy or corticosteroids for malignancy or other diseases that require immunosuppression. Immunosuppression induces rapid HBV replication and increasingly infects hepatocytes. Reactivation usually occurs after discontinuation or withdrawal of immunosuppression when the immune system is reconstituted and attacks infected hepatocytes. This leads to acute hepatitis characterized by increased levels of alanineaminotransferase (ALT) and serum HBV DNA. Rarely it can be life threatening. 


Keywords


HBV reactivation, immunosuppression, chemotherapy, Rituximab, HBsAg(+) carriers

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References


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