Improvement of chronic hepatitis B by iron chelation therapy in a patient with iron overload: A case report

RATIONALE: This report describes seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in a patient with marked iron overload caused by chronic hepatitis B (CHB) after receiving iron chelation therapy and discusses the role of iron chelation therapy in CHB. PATIENT CONCERNS: Increased serum ferritin level for 2 months. DIAGNOSIS: Secondary iron overload and CHB. INTERVENTION: To relieve iron load of the body, the patient underwent regular phlebotomy therapy and deferoxamine (DFO) therapy. During the therapy, serum ferritin and hepatitis B virus (HBV) were monitored and the iron concentration of the liver and heart were followed by T2∗ of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. OUTCOMES: Serum ferritin gradually decreased. Approximately 1 year after the therapy, HBsAg turned persistently negative. LESSONS: Iron chelation therapy may attenuate HBV infection.