Neurology®
The most widely read and highly cited peer-reviewed Neurology journal
Quick Search
Advanced Search
This Article
Right arrow Figures Only
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Correspondence:
Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when Correspondence are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Capasso, M.
Right arrow Articles by Uncini, A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Capasso, M.
Right arrow Articles by Uncini, A.
Related Collections
Right arrow Viral infections
Right arrow Muscle disease
NEUROLOGY 2006;67:1467-1469
© 2006 American Academy of Neurology
Brief Communications

The association of chronic hepatitis B and myopathy

M. Capasso, MD, PhD, A. Di Muzio, MD, PhD, M. Comar, BSc, PhD, I. Robuffo, MSc, A. Gambi, MSc, S. Crovella, BSc, E. Pizzigallo, MD, C. Campello, MD and A. Uncini, MD

From the Aging Research Center "CeSI" (M.C., A.D., A.U.), "Gabriele d'Annunzio" University Foundation Chieti-Pescara and Interuniversitary Institute of Myology, Chieti, Italy; UCO of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine (M.C., C.C.), University of Trieste-IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; CNR (I.R.), Institute of Organ Transplant and Immunocytology, Section of Chieti, Italy; Section of Clinical Pathology Department of Oncology and Neurosciences (A.G.), University "Gabriele d'Annunzio," Chieti, Italy; Department of Developmental and Reproductive Sciences (S.C.), University of Trieste-IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, Trieste, Italy; and Section of Infectious Diseases (E.P.), Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging, University "Gabriele d'Annunzio," Chieti, Italy.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Prof. Antonino Uncini, Clinica Neurologica, Ospedale "SS Annunziata," Via dei Vestini, I-66013 Chieti, Italy; e-mail: uncini{at}unich.it

In two patients with chronic hepatitis B and myopathy, muscle biopsy showed necrosis and scarce inflammatory infiltrates. CD8+ cells surrounded some non-necrotic fibers. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA and antigens were found inside intact muscle fibers. Major histocompatibility complex class I antigens were coexpressed with viral antigens. In one patient, symptoms improved during antiviral therapy. HBV can infect muscle fibers and an immune-mediated response to viral antigens may cause muscle injury.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest

Received February 7, 2006. Accepted in final form July 5, 2006.