title: Long-term anti-TNFalpha therapy for ankylosing spondylitis in two patients with chronic HBV infection.
abstract: Anti-TNFalpha therapy for rheumatic diseases appears to be safe in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, the administration of anti-TNFalpha agents without initiation of prophylactic antiviral therapy (lamivudine 100 mg/day) in patients with chronic HBV infection results in exacerbation of liver disease. In this report, we describe our experience of long-term anti-TNFalpha therapy for ankylosing spondylitis in two inactive HBsAg carriers without preemptive antiviral treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, St. Paul's Hospital, 161 Ethnikis Andistaseos Str, 55134, Thessaloniki, Greece. sakelgr@otenet.gr
authors.forename: Grigorios T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Sakellariou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chatzigiannis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068800:Etanercept; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept