What does this research mean for the field?

Corticosteroid therapy in COVID-19 patients with chronic HBV infection increases the risk of hepatitis B reactivation, with higher cumulative doses and longer durations significantly elevating this risk. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the frequency, determinants, and clinical consequences of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in COVID-19 patients with current or past HBV infection treated with corticosteroids.

August 30, 2026MedicineOpen Access

Risk of hepatitis B reactivation in COVID-19 patients receiving corticosteroid therapy

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Authors

HÇHatun Öztürk ÇerikOrdu University ÖAÖzlem AldemirSivas State Hospital BKBilge KatırcıSivas State Hospital

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Implication

Retrospective study reveals increased hepatitis B reactivation risk in COVID-19 patients on corticosteroids, highlighting the need for screening.

Key Points

To determine the frequency, determinants, and clinical consequences of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in COVID-19 patients with current or past HBV infection treated with corticosteroids.
Retrospective single-center study screening 13,673 hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and January 2022.
Identified N=145 patients with HBV exposure (125 HBsAg-positive and 20 anti-HBc IgG-positive) and evaluated corticosteroid exposure, viral biomarkers, and clinical outcomes.
HBVr developed in 7 patients (all HBsAg-positive), with 2 developing liver failure and dying.
Patients with HBVr received significantly higher cumulative corticosteroid doses (p=0.021) and longer treatment durations (p=0.007) compared to those without reactivation.
Five patients achieved viral suppression following treatment with nucleos(t)ide analogues.

Cite This Study

Çerik et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a93f0696c1a8fb52e79c8a5 https://doi.org/10.1097/md.0000000000050373

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Implication

Retrospective study reveals increased hepatitis B reactivation risk in COVID-19 patients on corticosteroids, highlighting the need for screening.

Risk of hepatitis B reactivation in COVID-19 patients receiving corticosteroid therapy

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Risk of hepatitis B reactivation in COVID-19 patients receiving corticosteroid therapy

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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