hepatitis b reactivation in a patient receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer: a case report

Can chemotherapy cause hepatitis B?

Hepatitis B reactivation is a potentially serious complication of anticancer chemotherapy, which occurs during and after therapy.

What causes reactivation of hepatitis B?

Reactivation of hepatitis B refers to the abrupt increase in hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in a patient with inactive or resolved hepatitis B. Reactivation can occur spontaneously, but more typically is triggered by immunosuppressive therapy of cancer, autoimmune disease, or organ transplantation.

Can chemotherapy cause hepatitis?

Cancer chemotherapy and other immunosuppressive therapies can result in reactivation of hepatitis B with catastrophic consequences to the patient if antiviral therapy is not started.

Can hepatitis B become negative after treatment?

Patients who become HBsAg negative and develop antibody to HBsAg (anti-HBs) are diagnosed as having resolved hepatitis B [3,4]. This is an uncommon phenomenon in chronic HBV infection. During stage HBV DNA may still be detectable by PCR in serum and more often in the liver.

How common is hepatitis B reactivation?

The approximate incidence of HBV reactivation ranged from about 10% to 40%. Scientists often explore the molecular mechanisms from both the virus and the host. But some studies have reported that some drugs (cisplatin, rituximab, imatinib, and glucocorticoid) could induce HBV reactivation directly.

Can acute Hep B reactivate?

Hepatitis B reactivation can occur in patients with a history of hepatitis B infection. Reactivation can occur spontaneously but is more common in the setting of immune suppression or cancer chemotherapy.

How does chemotherapy affect liver function?

Certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs, can cause increased bilirubin levels and liver dysfunction. Certain genetic conditions, such as Gilbert's syndrome, may cause slightly increased bilirubin levels.

Does chemo have an effect on the liver?

Treatments for cancer, including certain types of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplants, can cause liver problems.

What does high liver enzymes mean during chemotherapy?

Elevated liver enzymes can reflect damage to the liver, biliary obstruction, or impaired synthetic function. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin are biochemical markers of liver injury.

Can inactive hepatitis B become active?

The inactive carrier state may last a lifetime, but proportion of patients may undergo subsequent spontaneous or immunosuppression-induced of HBV replication generally referred as relapse.

How do I know if my hepatitis B is active?

Blood tests can detect signs of the hepatitis B virus in your body and tell your doctor whether it's acute or chronic. A simple blood test can also determine if you're immune to the condition. Liver ultrasound. A special ultrasound called transient elastography can show the amount of liver damage.

How do you cure hepatitis B reactive?

There's no cure for hepatitis B. The good news is it usually goes away by itself in 4 to 8 weeks. More than 9 out of 10 adults who get hepatitis B totally recover. However, about 1 in 20 people who get hepatitis B as adults become “carriers,” which means they have a chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis B infection.