Resolution of Chronic Hepatitis B-Associated Autoimmune Neutropenia With Interferon- Therapy

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most prevalent viral infections, affecting at least 1 million people in the United States and 300 million people worldwide (1). Although cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are the most important complications of chronic HBV infection, extrahepatic manifestations also occur, including immune-mediated diseases such as polyarteritis nodosa (2), cryoglobulinemia (3), and membranous glomerulopathy (4). Although uncommon, these extrahepatic manifestations can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The recognition of these HBV complications is important because management of the underlying viral infection may result in resolution of the extrahepatic manifestations. We report a case of autoimmune neutropenia associated with chronic HBV and its response to interferon(IFN) therapy.