Safety of tumor necrosis factor α blockers in hepatitis B virus occult carriers (hepatitis B surface antigen negative/anti–hepatitis B core antigen positive) with rheumatic diseases

Abstract

Anti-HBc positivity in HBsAg-negative patients is a sign of previous HBV infection and does not indicate chronic hepatitis. In these patients, anti-TNFalpha therapy appears to be quite safe, as no HBV reactivation was found in our study. Nevertheless, careful monitoring is necessary.