Valaciclovir for chronic hepatitis B virus infection after lung transplantation.
We report on a chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier who developed an increase in aminotransferase and HBsAg levels 1 year after lung transplantation. During treatment for cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection with oral valaciclovir there was a marked decrease in replicating hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA and aminotransferase levels, which was sustained for 9 months by continuing low-dose valaciclovir. A second rise in aminotransferase levels again responded to a valaciclovir dose increase and the HBV-DNA levels declined further. Although we cannot exclude a spontaneous variation of the serologic parameters, our observation suggests that valaciclovir may represent a valuable therapeutic option in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B after lung transplantation.
Dept. of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Raemistr. 100, CH- 8091, Zurich, Switzerland. klinspr@usz.unizh.ch
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Laube
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Boehler
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Renner
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Speich
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D002353:Carrier State; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016040:Lung Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012698:Serologic Tests; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D014633:Valine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D014633:Valine; D000077483:Valacyclovir; D000212:Acyclovir