Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42583552›Full record

ArticleAnnals of medicine and surgery (2012)2026

Occult hepatitis B: the masked driver of portal hypertension and life-threatening variceal hemorrhage.

Prabhat Kaphle, Raj Kumar Koirala, Maya Upadhyaya, Supriya Karna, Dhanlaxmi Giri, Pukar Gupta, Nabin Pahari, Liladhar Ojha, Suman Bhatta, Rohit Bhatt

Abstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of medicine and surgery (2012), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Prabhat KaphleNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4834-9354
Raj Kumar KoiralaDhaka Central International Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-6946-6435
Maya UpadhyayaNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7082-0235
Supriya KarnaDhaka Central International Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Dhanlaxmi GiriNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9542-9964
Pukar GuptaNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0892-2050
Nabin PahariMercy City Hospital, Butwal, Rupandehi, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1148-3751
Liladhar OjhaNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2932-3008
Suman BhattaNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Rohit BhattNational Health Action Force Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI), characterized by undetectable hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) but detectable HBV DNA, is an underrecognized contributor to chronic liver injury and portal hypertension. Portal hypertension (PHT) commonly complicates chronic liver disease, often in the setting of cirrhosis, and can lead to life-threatening variceal hemorrhage without typical biochemical or imaging abnormalities. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 30-year-old Bangladeshi male with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding and esophageal varices in the setting of occult HBV infection. The patient lacked classical risk factors for hepatitis B, and initial viral serology was negative for HBsAg and anti-HBc. However, HBV DNA testing later confirmed occult infection. Liver ultrasound was unremarkable, showing no signs of cirrhosis or focal lesions. The patient was managed successfully with supportive care, propranolol, and multiple sessions of EVL. Acute bleeding was controlled by blood transfusion and intravenous fluid resuscitation. Endoscopic variceal ligation sessions were performed to prevent rebleeding. During follow-up, varices remained stable without further bleeding. The patient is under ongoing surveillance for portal hypertension complications. Conclusion: OBI is a hidden cause of portal hypertension and variceal bleeding. HBV DNA testing is essential in patients with portal hypertension and negative serology. Prompt EVL and vigilant follow-up are critical to preventing fatal outcomes.

Indexed as

hepatitisoccult HBVportal hypertensionvariceal hemorrhage

Identifiers

PMID42583552
PMCPMC13461026

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.