Hepatology Communications (Sep 2018)

Preventing Hepatitis B Reactivation During Anti‐CD20 Antibody Treatment in the Veterans Health Administration

  • A. Jasmine Bullard,
  • Francesca E. Cunningham,
  • Bryan D. Volpp,
  • Elliott Lowy,
  • Lauren A. Beste,
  • Bernadette B. Heron,
  • Mark Geraci,
  • Julia M. Hammond,
  • Kourtney LaPlant,
  • Elise A. Stave,
  • Marsha J. Turner,
  • Meghan C. O’Leary,
  • Michael J. Kelley,
  • Christine M. Hunt

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/hep4.1238
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 2, no. 9
pp. 1136 – 1146

Abstract

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation may occur with high risk immunosuppression, such as anti‐cluster of differentiation (CD)20 antibodies (Abs). Appropriate HBV prophylaxis during anti‐CD20 Ab therapy averts hepatitis, chemotherapy disruption, and death. Serologic evidence of prior HBV exposure is present in one in nine veterans in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). In 2014, most (61%‐73%) patients in the VHA who were receiving anti‐CD20 Ab treatment underwent HBV testing, yet 90% and antiviral prophylaxis to >80%.