Rationale: This report describes seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a patient with marked iron overload caused by chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after receiving iron chelation therapy and discusses the role of iron chelation therapy in CHB.
Patient concerns: Increased serum ferritin level for 2 months.
Diagnosis: Secondary iron overload and CHB.
Intervention: To relieve iron load of the body, the patient underwent regular phlebotomy therapy and deferoxamine (DFO) therapy. During the therapy, serum ferritin and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were monitored and the iron concentration of the liver and heart were followed by T2* of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
Outcomes: Serum ferritin gradually decreased. Approximately 1 year after the therapy, HBsAg turned persistently negative.
Lessons: Iron chelation therapy may attenuate HBV infection.
Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.