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Low prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in southern China

Rheumatology International volume 30, pages 1565–1570 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients in southern China, SLE inpatients were retrospectively investigated for their HBV infection rate. Fifteen SLE patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were followed up. Furthermore, serum interferon (IFN)-α levels among SLE patients were detected by ELISA. Results showed estimated HBsAg-positive rate was 10.74% in general population. The HBsAg-positive rate was lower in SLE patients compared with controls (2.33 vs. 9.57%, P < 0.01). Interestingly, 13 out of 15 SLE patients converted from HBsAg positive to HBV surface antibody (HBsAb) positive even under glucocorticoid therapy. In addition, we found significantly increased IFN-α levels in SLE patients.The prevalence of HBV infection in SLE patients was lower than that in sex- and age-matched non-SLE controls in southern China. The characteristic IFN signatures in SLE may favor the subsequent clearance of HBV.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Grant no. 30571736/C0302050301 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China (No. 2006B35601003)

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, 510630, Guangzhou, China

    Jijun Zhao, Minli Qiu, Meirong Li, Caisheng Lu & Jieruo Gu

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  1. Jijun Zhao
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  2. Minli Qiu
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  3. Meirong Li
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  4. Caisheng Lu
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  5. Jieruo Gu
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Correspondence to Caisheng Lu.

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Zhao, J., Qiu, M., Li, M. et al. Low prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in southern China. Rheumatol Int 30, 1565–1570 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1188-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-1188-9

Keywords

  • Systemic lupus erythematosus
  • Hepatitis B virus
  • Prevalence
  • Interferons