Life-threatening complications of hepatitis B virus-related polyarteritis nodosa developing despite interferon-alpha(2b) therapy: Successful treatment with a combination of interferon, lamivudine, plasma exchanges and steroids

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare vasculitis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a significant proportion of cases. When used to t reat HBV-related PAN, immunosuppressive agents may enhance viral replicatio n and relaspes are frequent. In recent years the use of antiviral drugs has been proposed. We report the case of a patient with HBV-related PAN who, d espite 6 weeks of interferon-alpha (2b) (IFN-alpha (2b)) monotherapy, devel oped life-threatening complications with bowel perforation. He was thereaft er successfully treated with a combination of IFN-alb, lamivudine, plasma e xchanges and short-term steroids. In contrast to IFN-alpha (2b), lamivudine is effective in rapidly suppressing viral replication. This may be valuabl e in the treatment of HBV-related PAN by contributing to a faster diminutio n of circulating immune complex levels. This case report highlights the imp ortance of aggressive combined therapy in patients with HBV-related PAN.