Clinical medicine (London, England)
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Case Reports
Lesson of the month 2: Severe reactivation of hepatitis B after immunosuppressive chemotherapy.
Patients with current or past hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are at risk of viral reactivation if they receive immune-modulating treatment or chemotherapy. This can range from subclinical elevation in HBV DNA levels, to abnormal liver function tests, to severe hepatitis with liver failure and risk of death. ⋯ Patients with positive hepatitis B serology should be referred for specialist advice. Prophylactic antiviral treatment is recommended for patients with current/past hepatitis B who receive immunosuppressive chemotherapy.