The Importance of Antiviral Prophylaxis against Hepatitis B Virus in Patients under Immunosuppressive Therapy
Journal Title: Viral Hepatitis Journal - Year 2019, Vol 25, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Immunosuppressive (IS) therapies present a risk of reactivation in patients with previous or known hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and may cause mortality and morbidity. Before starting these therapies, patients should be tested for HBV serology and evaluated for antiviral therapy. Materials and Methods: hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive or HBsAg-negative and Anti-HBs and/or anti-HBc immunoglobulin-positive patients aged over 18 years old who were scheduled to undergo or who were already on IS therapy due to underlying diseases were evaluated retrospectively. The study included patients who had monthly transaminase levels during the first six months of antiviral prophylaxis, and then who had transaminase and HBV-DNA levels every three months during subsequent follow-ups. Results: Sixty-three patients were included in the study. Forty-eight patients (76%) received prophylaxis with IS therapy and 15 patients (24%) did not receive prophylaxis at the appropriate time. HBV reactivation (HBVr) was observed in three patients who did not receive prophylaxis at the appropriate time. The incidence of HBVr in all our patients was 4.8%, but was 20% in patients with delayed prophylaxis. Conclusion: IS therapies represent a major risk in terms of HBVr. Before starting these therapies, patients should be evaluated for antiviral prophylaxis by testing their HBV serology.
Authors and Affiliations
Firdevs Aksoy, Selçuk Kaya, Hanife Nur Karakoç, Gürdal Yılmaz, Serhat Atalar, İftihar Köksal
Keywords
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- EP ID EP684555
- DOI 10.4274/vhd.galenos.2019.2018.0027
- Views 158
- Downloads 0
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