Seroconversion of HBsAG coincides with hepatitis A super-infection: A case report

TY - JOUR

T1 - Seroconversion of HBsAG coincides with hepatitis A super-infection: A case report

AU - Beisel, Claudia

AU - Addo, Marylyn M

AU - Zur Wiesch, Julian Schulze

N1 - ©The Author(s) 2020. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.

PY - 2020/5/6

Y1 - 2020/5/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that can cause acute and chronic liver damage. According to the world health organization 257 million people are infected with chronic HBV infection worldwide. Super-infection with other hepadnaviruses, including hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, and hepatitis E virus is associated with increased risk of acute liver failure in patients with chronic HBV.CASE SUMMARY: Here, we report a case of a 47-year old male patient with HBV-related compensated Child A cirrhosis, who presented with general fatigue, malaise and laboratory signs of acute hepatitis. Although the patient was regularly seen at a specialized university liver unit, the HAV vaccination status was unclear. Acute HAV super-infection was diagnosed by positive serological and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Following acute HAV super-infection, spontaneous HBsAg elimination and development of an anti-HBs titer were observed.CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of carefully checking the vaccination status. In our patient, unspecific immunological responses to HAV led to functional cure of HBV.

AB - BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that can cause acute and chronic liver damage. According to the world health organization 257 million people are infected with chronic HBV infection worldwide. Super-infection with other hepadnaviruses, including hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis C virus, hepatitis D virus, and hepatitis E virus is associated with increased risk of acute liver failure in patients with chronic HBV.CASE SUMMARY: Here, we report a case of a 47-year old male patient with HBV-related compensated Child A cirrhosis, who presented with general fatigue, malaise and laboratory signs of acute hepatitis. Although the patient was regularly seen at a specialized university liver unit, the HAV vaccination status was unclear. Acute HAV super-infection was diagnosed by positive serological and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Following acute HAV super-infection, spontaneous HBsAg elimination and development of an anti-HBs titer were observed.CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the importance of carefully checking the vaccination status. In our patient, unspecific immunological responses to HAV led to functional cure of HBV.

U2 - 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i9.1651

DO - 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i9.1651

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 32432143

VL - 8

SP - 1651

EP - 1655

JO - WORLD J CLIN CASES

JF - WORLD J CLIN CASES

SN - 2307-8960

IS - 9

ER -