[tpt]

Reactivation of hepatitis B after stem cell collection

by tpt on Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:47 am

Hello,

Another not-so-good news, Dad's hepatitis B was tested positive.

He was not aware that he contracted hepatitis B. Apparently, the virus has remained dormant in his body for a very long time. The test (prior to stem cell collection) told us that he had an infection, and the infection was over. In order to prevent unwanted things, he was prescribed 100mg of Lamivudine, daily.

So, it was not an active hepatitis B, and we proceeded with the stem cell collection.

Post stem cell collection, he was told to not take any drugs. He was told to focus on regaining his health. That was in December. We are due for stem cell transplantation in two weeks, but the recent hepatitis test showed that his hepatitis B is now active. We may have to wait for the infection goes off.

Two questions, if any of you can help:

1. Anybody experienced reactivation of hepatitis B after stem cell collection? Dad had a blood transfusion when his Hb went down to 7.5; but I doubt that he contracted the virus again through the blood transfusion. (Risk was 0.000 007 %.)

2. Given that his hepatitis B was reactivated less than two months ago, what would be the chance of getting the disease passive within two weeks? He is now currently continue taking the 100mg Lamivudine.

If he delays the ASCT yet again, we might have to run a couple of cycles of induction therapy... I am really disappointed if this is the only way out.

Thanks... Stay strong folks!

[Kate]

Re: Reactivation of hepatitis B after stem cell collection

by Kate on Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:44 pm

Hi tpt,
I ran a search using
"hepatitis B after stem cell collection"
and lots of stuff came up that you might want to check out.

One link is particularly informing

http://annonc.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/05/05/annonc.mdr142.full

Hope this helps,
Kate