Hepatitis B and immunosuppressive therapies for chronic inflammatory diseases: When and how to apply prophylaxis, with a special focus on corticosteroid therapy

Figure 1 Algorithm suggested for the management of patients with inflammatory diseases and hepatitis B virus infection. ¹Except Rituximab, in which antiviral prophylaxis is desirable; ²Low dose steroids ≤ 20 mg/d prednisone. Adapted from Lopez-Serrano et al[17]. ID: Inflammatory diseases; IS: Immunosuppressants (steroids, thiopurines, methotrexate and biologics); NAs: Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues; HBcAb: Hepatitis B core antibody; HBsAg: Hepatitis B surface antigen; Low biodisponibility steroids: Budesonide or beclometasone dipropionate; HBV: Hepatitis B virus.