Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in rheumatic patients with hepatitis core antigen (HBV occult carriers) undergoing anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy.

HBV reactivation was found in 8 (1.7%) patients among 468 HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive patients with rheumatic diseases treated with anti-TNF agents. Our data suggest that HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive patients undergoing anti-TNF therapy need to be carefully monitored during anti-TNF therapy.