title: Use of entecavir in hepatitis B virus reactivation of a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
abstract: We read with interest the case report by Liu et al and the correspondence by Tuna et al regarding this case. Liu et al described hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma after withdrawal of lamivudine prophylaxis. When HBV reactivation was observed three months after lamivudine withdrawal, entecavir 0.5 mg daily was started. HBV DNA level was moderately elevated (10(4) copies/mL) at that time. So, we could not understand why a potent antiviral like entecavir was required for this case. In addition to this, entecavir must be used at a dose of 1 mg in patients with prior prophylactic treatment with lamivudine. As stated by Tuna et al duration of lamivudine prophylaxis in this case might be insufficient and HBV reactivation might have occured for this reason. So, we suppose that resolution of HBV reactivation might also be achieved with lamivudine instead of entecavir in this case.
authors.affiliation: Hasan Tahsin Gozdas, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dr. Münif İslamoğlu Kastamonu State Hospital, 37100 Kastamonu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hasan Tahsin
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Gozdas
authors.affiliation: Hasan Tahsin Gozdas, Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dr. Münif İslamoğlu Kastamonu State Hospital, 37100 Kastamonu, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Arpaci
mesh_terms: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006147:Guanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008224:Lymphoma, Follicular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D014775:Virus Activation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D058846:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D006147:Guanine
keywords: Antiviral prophylaxis; Entecavir; Hepatitis B reactivation; Immunochemotherapy; Lamivudine