A 57-year-old woman presented with a purpuric rash. Cryoglobulins were detected, and a skin biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. The alanine aminotransferase level was 119 IU/L, and the platelet count 63,000/mm3. The hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA was 6.4 log10 copies/mL and became negative by week 6 of entecavir therapy. The antiphosphatidylserine-prothrombin complex antibody (anti-PS/PT) was 390-510 U/mL, and decreased to 69 U/mL at week 24, after cryoglobulin had become negative and the rash resolved. Among 20 HBV-infected patients without extrahepatic manifestations, low titers of anti-PS/PT were detected in 8 (40%). Clinical characteristics were similar in patients with or without anti-PS/PT. Low titers of anti-PS/PT in chronic hepatitis B have little clinical significance, whereas high titers may promote cryoprecipitate formation.
