BMC Gastroenterology
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
HBV reactivation is a preventable but serious complication of chemotherapy and immunosuppression; this study shows low awareness and screening in Belgian specialists, suggesting patients starting immunosuppression may be at risk.
Patients with IBD often receive immunosuppressive drugs, so improved screening and prophylaxis could directly affect their safety.
Who Should Pay Attention
Gastroenterologists/IBD clinicians, oncologists, hematologists, rheumatologists, dermatologists, hospital policymakers, and patients initiating immunosuppression or chemotherapy.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This study surveyed Belgian specialists (hematology, oncology, IBD, rheumatology, dermatology) and reviewed medical charts to assess awareness of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) reactivation and adherence to pretherapy HBV screening guidelines.
Questionnaire results showed low overall awareness; retrospective review found suboptimal HBV screening rates across specialties and low use of antiviral prophylaxis among patients at risk. The authors recorded several missed HBV reactivations and call for a national screening protocol for patients starting chemotherapy or immunosuppression.
Keep In Mind
Structured content depth: abstract — the curator note is grounded in the article abstract and chart-review summary provided by the source. Consult the full paper for detailed methods, definitions of screening adequacy, and local practice implications.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationBMC Gastroenterology
AuthorsMarie Coessens, Jolien de Graeve, Cedric Van de Bruaene +25 more
InstitutionUniversity of Antwerp
Study typeArticle
Indexed viaOpenAlex
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedSep 22, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Faecal multiplex PCR testing and its clinical utility in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Better detection of enteric infections during suspected IBD flares could help avoid unnecessary escalation of immunosuppressive therapy and guide appropriate antibiotic use. This review suggests MPCR finds more pathogens...
Lowering the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Threshold Improves Risk Stratification in Acute Ulcerative Colitis: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.
People hospitalized with ulcerative colitis who don’t meet classic severe-disease criteria can still face meaningful colectomy risk. Using a lower CRP cutoff might help clinicians identify more high-risk patients...
Oncostatin M as a Complementary Non-Invasive Marker of Endoscopic and Histological Disease Activity in Ulcerative Colitis
A blood biomarker (OSM) that tracks microscopic inflammation could help detect residual disease activity that fecal calprotectin and routine clinical scores miss. That matters because histological inflammation predicts...