Hepatitis B virus reactivation during chlorambucil and prednisolone treatment in an HBsAg-negative and anti-HBs-positive patient with B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
10.3350/kjhep.2008.14.2.213
- Author:
Sung Min LIM
1
;
Jeong Won JANG
;
Byung Wook KIM
;
Hwang CHOI
;
Kyu Yong CHOI
;
Soo Jeong PARK
;
Chi Wha HAN
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea. garden@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report ; English Abstract
- Keywords:
Hepatitis B virus;
Reactivation;
HBsAg;
Chemotherapy
- MeSH:
Aged;
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/*therapeutic use;
Chlorambucil/*therapeutic use;
Female;
Hepatitis B/*diagnosis/virology;
Hepatitis B Antibodies/*blood/immunology;
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/*blood/immunology;
Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification/physiology;
Humans;
Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/complications/*drug therapy;
Prednisolone/*therapeutic use;
Virus Activation
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2008;14(2):213-218
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
It is generally accepted that seroconversion of hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg) to an antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) indicates clearance of HBV. Here we report a case of severe hepatitis that manifested during chemotherapy in a female patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had been initially seronegative for HBsAg and seropositive for anti-HBs. The patient received chlorambucil and prednisolone for the treatment of CLL. After 6 months the serum levels of aminotransferases were increased, and HBsAg and HBV DNA were present in serum. Lamivudine was administered immediately after confirming the HBV reactivation, which considerably improved jaundice and aminotransferase levels after 3 weeks. The patient was able to resume the chemotherapy whilst continuing lamivudine treatment. This case report highlights the need for physicians to be aware of the potential risk of HBV reactivation even in an HBsAg-negative person but with detectable anti-HBc and/or anti-HBs, underscoring the need for future studies that explore the role of antiviral prophylaxis in this setting.
