Ricerc@Sapienza

There is evidence that chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with an increased risk of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) development, and it has been hypothesized an etiological role of HBV in the development of this tumor. Very little is known about occult HBV infection (OBI) in ICC. Aims of the study were to investigate the OBI prevalence and to characterize the HBV molecular status at intrahepatic level in OBI-positive cases with ICC.

HBV reactivation (HBVr) can occur due to the ability of HBV to remain latent in the liver as covalently closed circular DNA and by the capacity of HBV to alter the immune system of the infected individuals. HBVr can occur in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with a clinical spectrum that ranges from asymptomatic infection to fulminant hepatic failure. The risk of HBVr is determined by a complex interplay between host immunity, virus factors, and immunosuppression related to HSCT. All individuals who undergo HSCT should be screened for HBV.