Cobeta García Juan Carlos, Medrano Marta
Unidad de Reumatología, Hospital Royo Villanova, Zaragoza, España.
Reumatol Clin. 2011 May-Jun;7(3):200-2. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2010.08.004. Epub 2011 Feb 22.
We report the case of a male chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier with HLA-B27 spondyloarthrititis who developed fulminant hepatitis after discontinuation of methotrexate (MTX). Full recovery after therapy with lamivudine and adefovir allowed treatment with adalimumab which was well tolerated. Reactivation of hepatitis B after MTX withdrawal is a very rare complication, which can also occur in association with anti-TNF agents. In patients with positive serology for HBV prophylactic antiviral therapy is recommended.