Reactivation of hepatitis B associated with immunosuppressants and chemotherapy. Natural history, risk factors and recommendations for prevention.

Although the risk of reactivation of hepatitis B in patients treated with immunosuppressants has been known for years and, if there are recommendations, data from some surveys indicate that the study of the serological profile of HBV infection before starting immunosuppressive treatment is not universal practice. Taking into account the serious consequences that the reactivation of the infection with HBV may entail, we believe that it is necessary to disclose the importance of this problem among the health professionals who prescribe these treatments as well as the recommendations to be followed. In fact, in recent years, the use of chemotherapy and potent immunosuppressants in patients with neoplastic processes and in non-neoplastic pathology of various specialties has been increasingly frequent, increasing the population of patients at risk of reactivation of HBV.