Investigation of the hepatitis b virus in solid tumors and their detection policy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and 1-2% of individuals immunized against HBV infection after acute infection may continue to virus replication in the liver as occult in spite of HBV clearance. With chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression, HBV may reactivate and lead to fulminant hepatitis from liver failure, leading to death of the patient. Reactivation of HBV infection during and after immunosuppressive treatments such as chemotherapy is a life-threatening complication that can be seen in chronic or past hepatitis B activation. Therefore, the screening of hepatitis B virus infection has become increasingly important, especially in the last decade, when immunosuppressive treatment options are increasing. There are studies about the level of awareness in different countries and different disciplines related to this subject in the world. In our country, no study has been conducted on the screening rates of hepatitis B virus infection and its level of awareness in immunocompromised patients with solid tumors before treatment. Purpose: In our study, the contact and detection policy of hepatitis B virus will be evaluated in cancer patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Methodology: Cancer type, age, gender, ALT, AST, HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HBc Ig G, HBeAg, anti-HBe and HBV DNA levels of patients with solid tumors diagnosed, treated and followed up at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Medical Faculty Department of Internal Medicine between 2010-2017 levels will be detected. Whether or not hepatitis B serology differs between years will be investigated. Findings: In the study with 593 patients, anti-HBc Ig G was found in 126 of the patients (21,2%) while the rate increased for the last 3 years.It was seen that 23.6% of the patients did not follow HBsAg levels before treatment.Anti-HBc Ig G was detected in 12 (14.6%) of the 82 patients with elevated KCFT levels during chemotherapy treatment. Discussion: It is observed that in our solid tumor patients who will receive immunosuppressive treatment in our hospital as a result of our work, the pre-treatment hepatitis B virus infection screening is done at increasing rates over the years. Despite this increase in screening rates, the rate we achieve is similar to that of many clinics around the world. It has been concluded that increasing the number of scientific meetings on this issue, internalizing the implementation of guidelines, taking additional measures such as the warning of the clinicians of automation systems when the patients receiving immunosuppressive treatment are arranged, and updating the current medical education programs in this way will contribute to the desired level of screening rates. Keywords:Hepatitis B, Chemotherapy, Occult Hepatitis B