Author information
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy.
2 South Carolina Center of Economic Excellence for Medication Safety, University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, Columbia, SC.
3 William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia, SC.
4 Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
5 Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina.
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global disease with significant morbidity and mortality. Worldwide, an estimated 257 million people are chronically infected with HBV, defined as having a positive hepatitis B surface antigen, but millions more have prior HBV exposure indicated by positive hepatitis B core antibody. Reactivation of hepatitis B implies a sudden increase in viral replication in a patient with chronic HBV infection or prior HBV exposure. Hepatitis B reactivation (HBVr) can occur spontaneously, but it is more commonly triggered by immunosuppressive therapies for cancer, immunologic diseases, or transplantation. Elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in HBV-HCV co-infected individuals treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has also been identified as an important cause of HBVr. Hepatitis B virus reactivation is an underappreciated but important complication of common medical therapies that can delay treatment or result in clinical episodes of hepatitis, hepatic failure, or death. In this review factors associated with HBVr, particularly medication-related risks, will be explored. We review data involving rituximab and ofatumumab, doxorubicin, corticosteroids, tumor necrosis factor antagonists, tyrosine kinases, bortezomib, hematologic stem cell transplantation, and DAAs for HCV treatment. In addition, we will discuss screening strategies, choice of antiviral prophylaxis, and the optimal duration of therapy for HBVr. With additional awareness, screening, and appropriate antiviral therapy, it is expected that most cases of HBVr can be prevented.