Hepatitis B reactivation in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis with antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen treated with rituximab.
Year: 2013
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) can still be found within the hepatocytes after its clearance and the control of viral replication depends on the immune response. However during immunosuppression, seroconversion of HBsAg has been described followed by disease reactivation. Hepatitis B virus reactivation represents an emerging cause of liver disease in patients undergoing treatment with biologic agents and in particular, by the use of rituximab (anti-CD20) and alemtuzumab (anti-CD52) that cause profound and long-lasting immunosuppression. We describe a case of a 64-year old female patient with rheumatoid arthritis and resolved HBV infection, who experienced a severe hepatitis B reactivation after the administration of rituximab.
Source: Europe PMC (PubMed Central)
Authors: E Gigi, T Georgiou, D Mougiou, P Boura, M Raptopoulou-Gigi
Institution: Hippocration General Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis B Virus Studies
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W58327547