Hepatitis B virus reactivation associated with atorvastatin

It is well known that statins may cause elevation of liver enzymes, but the association of statins with hepatitis B reactivation has never been reported before. A case of hepatitis B reactivation induced by atorvastatin is reported herein. Atorvastatin not only caused significant increases in aminotransferases, but also caused ongoing viral replication by evidence of a several-log increase in hepatitis B virus. The reactivation recovered spontaneously by discontinuation of atorvastatin. The evolving concept of a double-edged sword with regard to statins in patients with hepatitis B is discussed.