Hypogammaglobulinemia, a new risk factor for hepatitis B virus reactivation : about two cases

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2023 Jul-Sep;86(3):493-494. doi: 10.51821/86.3.10755.

Abstract

Reactivation of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) with immunosuppressive status has been well established, mainly due to medications such as immunosuppressive therapy like cytotoxic chemotherapy, rituximab and biologic therapy, immunosuppression after solid and bone-marrow transplantation or long-term corticosteroids therapy. We report here two cases of HBV reactivation due to global hypogammaglobulinemia. Regular HBV serologic screening and PCR for HBV-DNA should be applied for each patient with primary immunosuppressive status and history of chronic HBV infection. The necessity of a preemptive treatment remains debated.

Keywords: Hepatitis B reactivation; common variable immunodeficiency; hypogammaglobulinemia; immunosuppression.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Agammaglobulinemia* / complications
  • Agammaglobulinemia* / diagnosis
  • Agammaglobulinemia* / drug therapy
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B virus / genetics
  • Hepatitis B* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Virus Activation

Substances

  • Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Antiviral Agents