Reactivation of hepatitis B in a long-term anti-HBs-positive patient with AIDS following lamivudine withdrawal.
OBJECTIVE
In HIV-infected patients, who have recovered completely from an acute hepatitis B infection and become anti-HBs positive, hepatitis B infection may be reactivated after progression to AIDS.


METHODS
We present the case of a homosexual male patient with AIDS who developed clinical and serological reactivation of hepatitis B with detectable HBV-DNA 18 years after complete recovery from acute hepatitis B infection. Prior to reactivation, antiretroviral triple therapy including lamivudine was changed to therapy without lamivudine. After reintroduction of lamivudine in the triple therapy, HBV-DNA became undetectable and the patient lost HBsAg and again developed anti-HBs antibodies.


CONCLUSIONS
The hepatitis B in this patient can be explained best by reactivation of persistent HBV infection, possibly because of transient decline in antibodies against HBs-antigen due to a reduction in CD4+ lymphocyte numbers and B cell dysfunction. This observation points to the clinical relevance of HBV persistence in serum and blood cells of anti-HBs-positive subjects for many years after recovery from acute hepatitis B infection. The possible role of lamivudine withdrawal which immediately preceded HBV breakthrough in our patient is noteworthy. Regular monitoring of markers of HBV infection, including HBV-DNA, in patients with AIDS appears justified after discontinuation of lamivudine.
Altfeld
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Bonn, Germany.
Rockstroh
J K
JK
Addo
M
M
Kupfer
B
B
Pult
I
I
Will
H
H
Spengler
U
U
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D014775:Virus Activation
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D019259:Lamivudine