Backgrounds/Aims
This study examined the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection state and
immunologic capability in both the recipients and donors of allogenic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation
(allo-HSCT) on changes in HBV serologic markers in recipients. Methods: A total of 537 patients underwent
allo-HSCT for the treatment of leukemia, malignant lymphoma, and solid tumor. HBV serologic markers were
examined in both recipients and donors prior to and following the transplantation. The mean follow-up period
was 36.6 months (range 3-80 months). Results: Of the 537 patients who underwent allo-HSCT, 45 recipients
were positive for HBsAg prior to transplantation. Of these 45 patients, 21 were transplanted from anti-
HBs-positive donors and the remaining 24 were transplanted from anti-HBs-negative donors. In the former
cases, seroconversion was noted in 4 of the 21 patients (19%). In the latter cases, however, no seroconversion
was noted following the transplantation. Thirty patients who were negative for both HBsAg and anti-HBs
were transplanted from anti-HBs-positive donors, and 15 out of 30 patients (50%) acquired anti-HBs. Four
hundred and seven patients who were positive for anti-HBs were transplanted from anti-HBs-positive or
HbsAg-negative donors; 8 of these proved HBsAg-positive following the transplantation. There were no
changes in HBV serological markers following transplantation in 41 patients who were transplanted from
HbsAg-positive donors. Conclusions: Due to the adoptive immunity that was transferred from anti-HBspositive
donors, a seroconversion of HBsAg could occur in some HBsAg-positive recipients. HBsAg-positive
donors had a lesser effect on the HBV serologic markers of recipients. However, a reactivation of HBV can
occur following hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in the cases of recipients or donors with a history of
HBV, infection by an accompanying immune suppression. Therefore, prevention should be instigated. (Korean
J Hepatol 2009;15:131-139)
