Gut Liver.
2023 Mar;17(2):288-298. 10.5009/gnl210551.
Risk of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation in HBsAg-Negative, Anti-HBc-Negative Patients Receiving Rituximab for Autoimmune Diseases in HBV Endemic Areas
- Affiliations
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- 1Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun-Lin Branch, Douliu, Taiwan
- 3Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
- 4Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- 5Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- 6Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- 7Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
- KMID: 2540417
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5009/gnl210551
Abstract
- Background/Aims
Rituximab is known to be associated with high hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation rate in patients with resolved HBV infection and hematologic malignancy. However, data regarding HBV reactivation (HBVr) in rheumatic patients receiving rituximab is limited. To assess the HBVr rate in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative patients receiving rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a large real-world cohort.
Methods
From March 2006 to December 2019, 900 patients with negative HBsAg receiving at least one cycle of rituximab for autoimmune diseases in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcome and factors associated with HBVr were analyzed.
Results
After a median follow-up period of 3.3 years, 21 patients developed HBVr, among whom 17 patients were positive for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) and four were negative. Thirteen patients had clinical hepatitis flare, while eight patients had HBsAg seroreversion without hepatitis. Old age, anti-HBc positivity, undetectable serum hepatitis B surface antibody level at rituximab initiation and a higher average rituximab dose were associated with a higher HBVr rate. There was no significant difference in the HBVr risk between rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Among anti-HBc-negative patients, subjects without HBV vaccination at birth had an increased risk of HBVr (4/368, 1.1%) compared with those who received vaccination (0/126, 0%).
Conclusions
In HBV endemic areas where occult HBV is prevalent, anti-HBc-negative patients, may still be at risk for HBVr after rituximab exposure. HBVr may still be considered in HBsAgnegative patients developing abnormal liver function after rituximab exposure, even in patients with negative anti-HBc.
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