Background and aims:Clinical data regarding patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)after Omicron BA.5 infection are currently limited.This study aimed to assess the clinical characteristics of patients with CHB and Omicron BA.5 infection in South China.Methods:This retrospective study was conducted from January to March 2023 in a cohort of 485 healthy individuals and 553 patients with CHB.Clinical features,encompassing COVID-19-related symptoms,levels of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)antibodies,vaccination status,liver functions,and virological markers of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection were measured.Results:COVID-19-related symptom patterns were similar in both groups,except for fever,which was notably less prevalent(85.4％vs.90.4％,P=0.047)among patients with CHB who experienced a significantly shorter duration of fever(median 2.2(25th-75th percentile,1.0-3.0)days vs.2.3(1.0-3.0)days,P=0.048)and a shorter time for symptom relief(9.2(5.0-14.0)vs.11.1(5.0-14.0)days,P=0.015).The levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were comparable between the two groups but increased after booster vaccinations.In patients with CHB,globulin(GLB)and hepatitis B envelope antibody levels were significantly increased after Omicron BA.5 infection,regardless of nucleos(t)ide analog regimens comparing entecavir(ETV)with tenofovir(TFV).Patients with CHB treated with TFV had significantly higher levels of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies than those treated with ETV(1065.1(346.9-1188.5)COI vs.765.5(24.5-1119.1)COI,P=0.025).Conclusions:No significant exacerbation of COVID-19 symptoms was observed in conjunction with the efficacy of COVID-19 booster vaccinations.There were no notable alterations in liver functions except for GLB.HBV reactivation,as evidenced by increased HBV DNA,was observed among patients with CHB after Omicron BA.5 infection.These changes were not affected by ETV versus TFV administration;however,TFV resulted in a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels.Further studies are required to improve care and therapeutics for patients with CHB who contracted COVID-19.

Interferon (IFN) is a multifaceted immunomodulator that is effective against many diseases, including chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C infection. IFN defends against viral infection, but may also cause various side effects, such as ulcerative colitis (UC). Herein, we present a case of UC triggered by pegylated interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN-α-2b) therapy in a patient with concurrent chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. The diagnosis was based on typical clinical symptoms, colonoscopy findings, colonic mucosal biopsy, and histopathology. Accordingly, treatment with mesalazine was initiated without stopping PEG-IFN-α-2b. Fortunately, UC relieved gradually without compromising the effects of treatment. Simultaneously, we conducted a literature review of previously published case reports on the side effect of UC in patients with underlying chronic hepatitis. Various reactions have been reported, including induction, exacerbation, and no change. This is the first report of UC triggered by PEG-IFN-α-2b in a CHB patient. We recommend that physicians pay attention to the rare side effect of UC during administration of PEG-IFN-α-2b. Mesalazine can relieve UC with sustained use of PEG-IFN-α-2b.