Spontaneous Clearance of Hepatitis B Surface Antigenemia After Long-term Hemodialysis

Publication Date

2014

Journal Title

Semin Dial

Abstract

Persistent infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) [as indicated by chronic HBV surface antigenemia (HBsAg)] continues to be an important problem in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and specifically in those receiving maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Patients on HD who are HBsAg-positive for a year have little chance of ever eliminating the virus; hence, clearance of HBsAg is a rare event in long-term HD patients. We report the case of a 62-year-old diabetic woman who was HBsAg-positive at the time she started HD and remained so until 10years later when she became HBsAg-negative followed by the development of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs). Prior to her seroconversion, she suffered a persistent infection of her HD arteriovenous graft (AVG) that required prolonged antibiotics and several surgical procedures. We speculate that this immune stimulation contributed to her seroconversion.

Volume Number

27

Issue Number

1

Pages

57-59

Document Type

Article

EPub Date

2013/10/18

Status

Faculty, Northwell Researcher

Facility

School of Medicine; Northwell Health

Primary Department

Obstetrics and Gynecology

PMID

24131219

DOI

10.1111/sdi.12154

For the public and Northwell Health campuses

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