Sexual transmission of hepatitis B infection despite the presence of hepatitis B virus immunity in recipients of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.
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.
Hui
Chee-Kin
CK
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, 102 Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Yu
John
J
Au
Wing Yan
WY
Zhang
Hai-ying
HY
Bartholomeusz
Angeline
A
Locarnini
Stephen
S
Kwong
Yok-lam
YL
Liang
Raymond
R
Lau
George K K
GK
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*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens