Expanding access to transplantation with hepatitis C‐positive donors: A new perspective on an old issue |
| |
| Authors: | Catherine E. Kling Ajit P. Limaye Charles S. Landis Lena Sibulesky |
| |
| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA;2. Division of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA;3. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | With the need for organs far exceeding supply, donors previously exposed to hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viral infections should be considered for transplantation. Although many centers have protocols for transplanting organs from HBV core antibody‐positive (HBcAb+) donors into select recipients, in the era of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs), a new focus should be placed on HCV‐positive donors. The transmission rate from HCV antibody‐positive (HCVAb+) nucleic acid testing negative (HCV NAT‐) donors is expected to be very low, and we encourage use of such organs in HCV recipients provided a normal biopsy, appropriate counseling, and careful post‐transplant monitoring. While transmission of HCV from HCV NAT+ donors is universal, the success of DAA in obtaining a sustained viral response in post‐transplant recipients should make the use of these organs more appealing. We herein provide information to help guide the use of organs from HCV donors. |
| |
| Keywords: | hepatitis C donor liver transplant organ shortage |
|
|
