Demyelinating polyneuropathy associated with chronic inactive hepatitis B infection

Abstract

This is a case report of a 42-year-old female patient with chronic inactive hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who presented with relapsing chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Her initial attack was of acute onset (ie, acute CIDP) resembling Guillain-Barré syndrome that responded well to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy. The second episode was chronic and refractory to IVIG. She was managed with plasma exchange, long-term corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and HBV antiviral therapy. She showed both clinical and electromyographic improvement, with no recurrence after 2 years of follow-up.