title: Sexual transmission of hepatitis B infection despite the presence of hepatitis B virus immunity in recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  After hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), hepatitis due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) rarely occurred beyond the initial 12 months after transplantation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the cause of "late" hepatitis due to HBV infection in two recipients after allogeneic HCT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two male patients with acute myeloid leukemia and light chain myeloma, respectively, developed HBV-related hepatitis more than 2 years after HCT. All serum samples collected from the recipients, donors and their respective spouses were tested for HBV DNA by nested PCR, and if positive further quantified by Digene Hybrid Capture assay II. The HBV genotype was determined by PCR and sequencing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Genotypic analysis suggested that the cause of "late" hepatitis was due to acute HBV infection transmitted from their respective spouse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggested that sexual precautions should be taken in these patients after HCT. Alternatively, or even additionally, active vaccination should be delivered to these patients once they have lost their HBV immunity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
authors.forename: Chee-Kin
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Wing Yan
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Au
authors.forename: Hai-ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Angeline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bartholomeusz
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Locarnini
authors.forename: Yok-lam
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Kwong
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: George K K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000276:immunology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015229:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Viral / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens