Association of Hepatitis B Virus Infection and Psoriasis

Incidence of HBV Reactivation in Psoriasis Patients Undergoing Cytokine Inhibitor Therapy: A Single-Center Study and Systematic Review with a Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis patients who are seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) face an elevated risk of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) when treated with cytokine inhibitors. This study aims to elucidate the risk in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted to assess the risk of HBVr in 73 psoriasis patients treated with cytokine inhibitors from 2013 to 2023. Additionally, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, pooling data from 10 studies (including our cohort) and adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and pooled proportions were calculated using a random effects model.

RESULTS

No HBVr cases were observed among the 11 HBsAg+ patients in the cohort. However, two of the sixty-two (3.2%) HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients experienced reactivation during therapy, with outcomes ranging from spontaneous recovery in one case to death from hepatic failure despite antiviral treatment in the other. The meta-analysis, pooling data from 10 studies, revealed a reactivation rate of 21.2% (95% CI: 9.4-41.0%) in HBsAg+ patients without prophylaxis and 4.4% (95% CI: 2.2-8.7%) in HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients.

CONCLUSION

Antiviral prophylaxis is essential for HBsAg+ patients receiving cytokine inhibitors, given the high risk of reactivation. Despite the lower risk for HBsAg-/HBcAb+ patients, the potential severity of outcomes demands careful monitoring and timely action.

Evidence of "Silent" Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Psoriasis, Vitiligo, and Pityriasis Rosea Cases: A Pilot Study

Background

Psoriasis (PS), vitiligo (VT), and Pityriasis rosea (PR) are chronic skin diseases often occurring as a consequence of exaggerated immune responses. These skin manifestations can be triggered as a result of the molecular mimicry between viral protein (s) and host protein (s), which could generate auto-antibodies. In addition, it can be hypothesised that skin diseases are manifestations of the reduced immunity that is observed in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected individuals.

Aims and Objective

To investigate the presence of HBV in PS, VT, and PR cases and Human Herpes Virus (HHV) 6 and 7 in PR cases.

Materials and Methods

DNA extracted from healthy controls (n = 20), PS (n = 10), VT (n = 11), and PR (n = 12) were subjected to HBV-S gene-specific polymerase chain reactions (PCRs) and HHV 6-UL57 and HHV7-UL10 gene-specific PCRs. PCR products of positive samples (HBV and HHV 6 and 7 DNA) of expected length were bi-directionally sequenced using overlapping primers. Sequence identification was performed by NCBI BLAST and analysed by multiple sequence alignment. HBV DNA copy number was determined through quantitative real-time PCR. The blood samples were also tested for HBV serological markers and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) by enzyme immunoassays.

Results

The PCR data and Immunoassay study revealed that seven out of 12 PR, six out of 10 PS, and six out of 11 VT cases had signs of HBV infection. HHV 6 DNA was detected in four, whereas HHV 7 DNA was found in two of the 12 PR blood samples. PR6 presented the evidence of both HHV 6 and 7 co-infections.

Conclusion

Observing the correlation of HBV with skin diseases, albeit at the pilot level, a larger study is warranted to identify HBV infection in skin disease patients. The evidence of HHV 6 and HHV 7 DNA in PR cases supports the HHV infection linkage with PR.