IVIg-induced false positive hepatitis B serology in a patient with <i>Guillain-Barré</i> syndrome: a case report

We report the case of a 63-year-old Moroccan male with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) who, following treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), developed false-positive anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies. This occurred despite negative pre-treatment serology and led to diagnostic confusion. A negative hepatitis B viral DNA PCR confirmed the absence of an active infection. This case highlights a crucial takeaway lesson for clinicians: IVIg can interfere with viral serological assays, and this possibility should be considered to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary interventions.

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Publication Details

Journal
Pan African Medical Journal
Published
2025-01-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2025.52.20.49000
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Hepatitis B Virus Studies
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.71
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article

IVIg-induced false positive hepatitis B serology in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report

M. Snoussi, Jalila El Bakkouri, Yasmine Bendimrad, Lina Seffar
2 citations
Pan African Medical Journal
Hepatitis B Virus Studies
2.71
article

IVIg-induced false positive hepatitis B serology in a patient with Guillain-Barré syndrome: a case report

M. Snoussi, Jalila El Bakkouri, Yasmine Bendimrad, Lina Seffar
article en
2 citations

Abstract

We report the case of a 63-year-old Moroccan male with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) who, following treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), developed false-positive anti-HBs and anti-HBc antibodies. This occurred despite negative pre-treatment serology and led to diagnostic confusion. A negative hepatitis B viral DNA PCR confirmed the absence of an active infection. This case highlights a crucial takeaway lesson for clinicians: IVIg can interfere with viral serological assays, and this possibility should be considered to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary interventions.

Pan African Medical JournalVol. 52
Université Mohammed VI des Sciences et de la Santé (MA)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Hepatitis B Virus Studies
2.71
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