A fatal case of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation during long-term, very-low-dose steroid treatment in an inactive HBV carrier.
10.3350/cmh.2012.18.2.225
- Author:
Joong Ho BAE
1
;
Joo Hyun SOHN
;
Hye Soon LEE
;
Hye Sun PARK
;
Yil Sik HYUN
;
Tae Yeob KIM
;
Chang Soo EUN
;
Yong Cheol JEON
;
Dong Soo HAN
Author Information
1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea. sonjh@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B virus;
Liver failure;
Steroids;
Virus activation
- MeSH:
Aged, 80 and over;
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use;
Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy;
DNA, Viral/analysis;
Female;
Hepatitis B/*drug therapy;
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood;
Hepatitis B virus/genetics;
Humans;
Immunosuppressive Agents/*therapeutic use;
Steroids/*therapeutic use;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed;
Treatment Outcome;
Virus Activation
- From:Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
2012;18(2):225-228
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) may be reactivated after chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy, and therefore administration of antiviral agents before such treatment is recommended. Most reported cases of reactivation are associated with high doses of immunosuppressive agents or combination therapy. We present a case of a previously inactive HBV carrier with an acute severe flare-up during a long-term, very-low-dose (2.5 mg/day) steroid treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. We suggest that even a minimal dose of single-regimen oral steroid can cause reactivation of indolent, inactive HBV.
