Spontaneous clearance of hepatitis B surface antigenemia after long-term hemodialysis

Chinmay Patel, Divya Monga, Mohini Alexander, Sandeep Magoon, David Bernstein, John D. Wagner, Joseph Mattana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 10 years 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)57-59
Number of pages3
JournalSeminars in Dialysis
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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