Adrenalectomy to treat reactivated chronic hepatitis B infection in a patient with a steroid-secreting adrenal tumour.
We present a case of reactivation of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection by a steroid-producing adrenal tumour. The tumour caused a reactivation and subsequent flare of the patients' HBV. The adrenal tumour was treated with an adrenalectomy and as a consequence the patients' transaminitis and viral load fell rapidly without the need for any additional hepatitis B treatment. The role of hepatitis B and steroid priming is discussed and the possible immunological mechanisms that underpin this phenomenon.
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University College London Hospital, London, UK. pjsmith@doctors.org.uk
P J
PJ
Smith
D
D
Suri
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000410:Alanine Transaminase