Role of Hepatitis B Surface Antibodies in Risk for Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation During Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy.

An estimated 250 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), with more than 800,000 deaths related to HBV. Although the prevalence of HBV has been decreasing, reactivation remains a cause for concern. Reactivation is defined by the resurgence of HBV DNA and/or HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) seroreversion in patients with resolved HBV or an increase in HBV viral load in chronic hepatitis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapies have been shown to place patients at a risk for HBV reactivation..