HBEAG-NEGATIVE HEPATITIS-B IN A PREVIOUSLY THALASSEMIC PATIENT DURINGIMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY FOR CHRONIC GVHD

We report the case of a 15-year-old previously thalassemic girl who, 1 5 months after allogeneic BMT, developed HBeAg-negative hepatitis B (v ariant with mu-1896). In the absence of another route of transmission, HBV reactivation is postulated. The time of emergence of the HBV vari ant (with mu-1896) is probably related to the development of anti-HBe immunity. This mutant strain is associated with fulminant hepatitis. T he patient achieved complete remission and HBV eradication despite hav ing moderate GVHD and receiving immunosuppressive therapy.