Possible Reactivation of Potential Hepatitis B Virus Occult Infection by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Blocker in the Treatment of Rheumatic Diseases

Abstract

All rheumatic patients who plan to take anti-TNF-alpha treatment should undergo a test for HBV serology, including HBcAb, and have a close followup with an LFT test during therapy. Further prospective studies for hepatitis B viral load using HBV-polymerase chain reaction in patients who are HbcAb positive are needed to identify whether the abnormal LFT comes from the reactivation of occult HBV infection.