https://doi.org/10.5812/thrita.16044

The Importance of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Screening in Pre-Transplant Evaluation

authors:

avatar Raika Jamali 1 , 2 , *

Research Development Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran, IR Iran
Student Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Thrita: Vol.3, issue 2; e16044
published online: June 25, 2014
article type: Editorial
received: November 6, 2013
accepted: November 6, 2013

how to cite: Jamali R. The Importance of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Screening in Pre-Transplant Evaluation. Thrita J Neu. 2014;3(2):e16044. https://doi.org/10.5812/thrita.16044.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection (OHB) is defined based on the existence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in liver tissue or serum of the patients, in spite of negative antibody test result for hepatitis B surface antigen (1). Most of these patients have positive hepatitis B core antibody (HBc Ab) test result as the evidence of past HBV infection. Ramezani et al. recommended the evaluation of HBc Ab in hemodialysis patients for detection of OHB (2).

There might be low titer of HBc Ab in minority of OHB patients due to immunosuppression. In the other word, all serological Ab panels for HBV might be negative in OHB setting. Searching for HBV DNA in serum is promising for determination of OHB in the immune deficiency state. However, this method could not be recommended in the routine screening due to its high expense. Therefore, defining the best diagnostic strategy for detection of OHB seems to be challenging in particular subgroups of patients. Although the precise clinical manifestations and pathogenesis of OHB are not clear, it is considered as a probable source of HBV infection via blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and organ transplantation. Reactivation of OHB in the post-transplantation phase could be fatal. It is wise to improve the yield of diagnostic tool for OHB screening in the pre-transplant phase to lower the liver-related morbidity and mortality in the transplant candidates.

The important issues on OHB are the aggravation of chronic liver damage and concomitant fibrosis (3). Some studies showed that this condition causes progression of cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic liver disease (4) OHB lowers the virologic response in hepatitis C infection (5) Song et al. declared that HBV transmission could occur via transfusion, hemodialysis, and organ transplantation (1). Considering the possibility of HBV reactivation, they suggested the screening of OHB in the post-transplantation phase. Furthermore, they mentioned the need for antiviral therapy in HBsAg-negative transplanted patients who are anti-HBc positive, to prevent the reactivation of HBV infection. HBV recurrence has occurred even two years after discontinuation of the immunosuppression (6). Fontenele et al. issued the role of OHB screening in hemodialysis patients to prevent the transmission of HBV and the consequent liver cell damage (7).

Based on the current evidence, it seems reasonable to screen for OHB in the pre-transplantation phase and follow the patient carefully for early detection of OHB relapse. HBc Ab test is a practical screening method for OHB and is a surrogate marker of previous HBV infection in the immune competent patients. HBV DNA assay is an accepted alternative for OHB screening in the immunosuppressed individuals whose HBc Ab is in a low detectable titer.

Acknowledgements

References

  • 1.

    Song SH, Hwang SG. [Occult hepatitis B virus infection: transmission and reactivation]. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2013;62(3):148-53. [PubMed ID: 24077624].

  • 2.

    Ramezani A, Eslamifar A, Banifazl M, Aghakhani A. Importance of Isolated Anti-HBc in Detection of Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Hemodialysis Patients. Ther Apher Dial. 2013. [PubMed ID: 24094234]. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-9987.12125.

  • 3.

    Covolo L, Pollicino T, Raimondo G, Donato F. Occult hepatitis B virus and the risk for chronic liver disease: a meta-analysis. Dig Liver Dis. 2013;45(3):238-44. [PubMed ID: 23146778]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dld.2012.09.021.

  • 4.

    Nishikawa H, Osaki Y. Clinical significance of occult hepatitis B infection in progression of liver disease and carcinogenesis. J Cancer. 2013;4(6):473-80. [PubMed ID: 23901347]. https://doi.org/10.7150/jca.6609.

  • 5.

    Vakili Ghartavol Z, Alavian SM, Amini S, Vahabpour R, Bahramali G, Mostafavi E, et al. Prevalence of occult hepatitis B virus in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cell compartments of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection in tehran-iran. Hepat Mon. 2013;13(5). ee10134. [PubMed ID: 23967017]. https://doi.org/10.5812/hepatmon.10134.

  • 6.

    Zachou K, Sarantopoulos A, Gatselis NK, Vassiliadis T, Gabeta S, Stefos A, et al. Hepatitis B virus reactivation in hepatitis B virus surface antigen negative patients receiving immunosuppression: A hidden threat. World J Hepatol. 2013;5(7):387-92. [PubMed ID: 23898372]. https://doi.org/10.4254/wjh.v5.i7.387.

  • 7.

    Fontenele AM, Filho NS, Ferreira AS. Occult hepatitis B in patients on hemodialysis: a review. Ann Hepatol. 2013;12(4):527-31. [PubMed ID: 23813129].