A literature review prompts new recommendations.
Immune reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) from the use of immunosuppressive and anticancer agents can lead to fatal acute hepatitis and liver failure. The FDA recently added black box warnings to the anti-CD20 agents ofatumumab and rituximab recommending that recipients be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) to screen for HBV infection. Now, investigators have reviewed the literature on HBV reactivation and have expanded upon the FDA recommendations.
The literature review showed that HBV reactivation occurs in about 32% of HBsAg-positive patients undergoing chemotherapy. HBsAg-positive patients undergoing solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresNothing to disclose
DisclosuresNothing to disclose