HBV Seroconversion After Using Rituximab

Aim: It is known that there is an increase in reactivation of Hepatitis\rB virus (HBV) in immunosuppressive conditions especially after using\rRituximab. In this study we aimed to evaluate the HBV seroconversion\rin patients who have been treated with different regimens containing\rRituximab. We examined the relationship between the diagnosis of\rthe patients, the given treatments to patients and HBV reactivation.\rMaterial and Method: In this study, 157 patients having Rituximab\rtreatment were evaluated retrospectively in the aspect of HBV seroconversion,\rin Ataturk University Medicine Faculty Hematology\rClinic, between 1 January 2010-31 December 2014.\rResults: Of the patients, 96 (61.1%) were male and 61 (38.9%)\rwere female. The mean age was 59.75 (21-91) years. When alanine\raminotransferase (ALT), Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg)\rand Hepatitis B virus-deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA) levels before\rtreatment and at least one year follow up period after treatment\rwere evaluated; 13 (8.2%) patients had HBV infection reactivation,\r84 (53.5%) patients had no HBV infection reactivation, and\ralso 60 (38.3%) patients weren’t evaluated after treatment. In the\ranalysis of the treatments that patients took, patients diagnosis\rand HBV infection reactivation at least one year follow up period\rafter the treatment, there wasn’t seen statistical difference.\rConclusion: As a result of this study, it was concluded that it\rwould be appropriate to raise the awareness of physicians about\rthe follow-up of HBV infection in patients who are planned or receiving\rRituximab treatment and to provide standardization in the\rfollow-up of these patients.