Admissions for hepatitis B reactivation in patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy remain unchanged from 1999 to 2014.
BACKGROUND
Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in patients with chronic or past HBV infection receiving immunosuppressive therapy (IST) can be prevented through HBV screening and prophylactic antiviral therapy. We aimed to determine the occurrence of severe HBV reactivation secondary to IST in the era of HBV nucleos/tide analogs, the implicated IST, and outcomes.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective chart review of adult patients who were HBsAg+ and HBV DNA+ and had received IST within 90 days of admission to our hospital.


RESULTS
Of 1446 patients with HBV diagnosis code admitted from 1999 to 2014, 17 had HBV reactivation, 8 of whom were admitted after 2009. Nine patients had hematologic conditions, three solid organ transplants, one hepatocellular carcinoma, and four other nonmalignant diseases. Implicated IST included chemotherapy, prednisone, antirejection therapies, budesonide, and a JAK-2 inhibitor. Three patients were screened for HBV prior to IST, but none was given antiviral prophylaxis. Six patients were initially admitted to other facilities, only two were tested for HBV, and one was started on antiviral therapy prior to transfer. At admission to our hospital, all 17 were HBsAg+ and HBV DNA+. Despite antiviral therapy, five patients decompensated, three died, and two had a liver transplant.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe HBV reactivation requiring hospital admission continues to occur because HBV screening was not performed and a prophylactic antiviral not given to those who tested positive. HBV reactivation can occur in a variety of clinical settings and in association with drugs not considered to be highly immunosuppressive.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Arpan
A
Patel
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Suna
S
Yapali
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. aslok@med.umich.edu.|Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan Health System, 3912 Taubman Center, SPC 5362, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. aslok@med.umich.edu.
Anna S F
AS
Lok
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000187:drug effects; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017093:Liver Failure / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019562:Viral Load; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents
Antiviral therapy; Chemotherapy; Hepatitis; Hepatitis B virus; Liver failure