valacyclovir and Bronchiectasis

We report on a chronic asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier who developed an increase in aminotransferase and HBsAg levels 1 year after lung transplantation. During treatment for cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection with oral valaciclovir there was a marked decrease in replicating hepatitis B virus (HBV)-DNA and aminotransferase levels, which was sustained for 9 months by continuing low-dose valaciclovir. A second rise in aminotransferase levels again responded to a valaciclovir dose increase and the HBV-DNA levels declined further. Although we cannot exclude a spontaneous variation of the serologic parameters, our observation suggests that valaciclovir may represent a valuable therapeutic option in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B after lung transplantation.

Topics: Acyclovir; Bronchiectasis; Carrier State; Chronic Disease; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Graft Survival; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B, Chronic; Humans; Lung Transplantation; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Preoperative Care; Risk Assessment; Serologic Tests; Treatment Outcome; Valacyclovir; Valine