Recurrence-free long-term survival after liver transplantation for hepatitis B using interferon-alpha pretransplant and hepatitis B immune globulin posttransplant.

OBJECTIVE: The authors determined whether pretransplant reduction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) load using alpha-interferon-2b (IFN) and passive immunoprophylaxis using hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) posttransplantation can prevent HBV recurrence in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for HBV cirrhosis. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Liver transplantation in patients with HBV cirrhosis is associated with a high rate of recurrence and reduced survival. In patients with evidence of replicating virus (HBV-DNA or hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg]-positive serum or both), recurrence is nearly universal. Passive immunoprophylaxis with HBIg alone is not effective in preventing HBV recurrence posttransplant, especially in patients with evidence of active viral replication pretransplant. Higher doses of HBIg posttransplant has reduced recurrence rates to 30% to 50%. Lamivudine, a nucleoside analogue that has shown early promise, also is associated with significant HBV recurrence. The authors report a reliable method of preventing viral recurrence in patients even with evidence for active HBV replication pretransplant. METHODS: Pretransplant patients with evidence of replicating HBV were given IFN starting at 1 million IU 3 times per week subcutaneously. This dose was increased to 2 and then 3 million IU 3 times per week when patient's side effects permitted and was maintained until the patient underwent a LT. All patients were tested every 4 weeks for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), HBeAg, and HBV-DNA. When patients became negative for HBeAg and HBV-DNA, they were listed for LT. Patients that were only HBsAg positive were listed immediately and received a LT without prior IFN treatment. Post-LT, all patients began receiving HBIg 2000 IU (10 mL) daily from days 1 to 20 and then weekly for the first 2 years. After 2 years, all patients received 2000 IU (10 mL) monthly. Additional HBIg immunoprophylaxis was given during intense immunosuppression for rejection. Posttransplant serum was tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBV-DNA in all patients 1 week, 1 month, and every 3 months thereafter. Liver biopsies were done at least yearly and when liver enzymes were abnormal and were always tested for HBsAg and HBcAg by immunoperoxidase. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with decompensated HBV cirrhosis were transplanted. Pretransplant, eight patients had evidence of active viral replication at the initial assessment (HBeAg or HBV-DNA-positive serum or both). All eight were successfully treated with IFN (median duration, 24 weeks; range, 8-53) and converted to a negative status before transplantation. Side effects from IFN were minimal and well tolerated, except in one patient who required 6 million IU to convert to a nonreplicating status. The five patients that were only HBsAg positive were not treated with IFN pretransplant. After surgery, HBIg given as described achieved consistently serum levels greater than 1000 IU/L. Twelve of the 13 patients are alive with normal liver function and without serologic evidence of HBV recurrence at a median follow-up of 32 months (range, 9-56 months). None have evidence of HBV recurrence as measured by serum HBsAg/HBeAg/HBV-DNA at recent follow-up. The sera of the seven longest survivors has tested negative for HBV-DNA using the polymerase chain reaction method. In addition, a liver biopsy was obtained in six of these patients, the results of which also tested negative for HBV-DNA using polymerase chain reaction. Liver biopsy specimens have been negative for the presence of HBsAg and HBcAg by immunoperoxidase staining in all 12 patients. CONCLUSION: A reduction of viral load pretransplant with IFN and posttransplant HBIg prevents recurrence of hepatitis B and permits LT for HBV cirrhosis, even in patients with evidence of replicating virus. The IFN pretransplant was well tolerated, and the small frequent dosing of HBIg posttransplant did not cause side effects while achieving serum levels > 1000 IU/L.     

Significance of Hepatitis B Virus Genotype in Liver Transplantation for Chronic Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype influences chronic hepatitis B disease profile but its relevance in liver transplantation (LTx) is not known. HBV genotype was identified by direct sequencing from pre-transplant sera of 119 patients who underwent LTx using lamivudine prophylaxis (genotype A,1; B,43; C,74; D,1). The baseline characteristics and outcome of 43 genotype B and 74 genotype C patients were compared. Genotype B patients had significantly more pre-transplant acute flare, worse liver functions and higher model for end-stage liver disease score. Fewer genotype B patients had HBeAg (13% vs. 32%; p=0.017), but HBV DNA seropositivity (by bDNA assay) was comparable (26% vs. 23%; p=0.727). The 3-year graft survival was 83% for genotype B and 89% for genotype C (p=0.2). The rate of HBsAg clearance or seroreversion was the same. The cumulative rate of viral breakthrough due to lamivudine-resistant mutants at 3 years was 4% for genotype B and 21% for genotype C (p=0.017). Liver biopsy after viral breakthrough showed recurrent hepatitis B in 7 of 10 genotype C patients, including 2 with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, and no histologic recurrence in 2 genotype B patients. In conclusion, HBV genotypes B and C are associated with different patterns of end-stage liver diseases that required transplantation, and genotype C may carry a greater risk and severity of recurrence due to lamivudine-resistant mutants.     

Low-dose intramuscular hepatitis B immune globulin and lamivudine for long-term prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

The combination of lamivudine and hepatitis B immunoglobulins (HBIg) to prevent recurrence of HBV hepatitis has significantly improved the survival of patients transplanted for HBV-related end-stage liver disease. Generally, HBIg are administered intravenously. We evaluated the efficacy, tolerability, and cost savings of long-term intramuscular HBIg and lamivudine in 28 patients (23 men and 5 women), who received liver transplants for acute or chronic HBV-related liver disease. Twelve patients started lamivudine before and 16 at the time of liver transplantation. HBIg were administered intravenously during the first week (50 to 70,000 IU) and intramuscularly thereafter (1200 IU every 3 to 6 weeks) to maintain an HbsAb titer >100 IU/L. Mean follow-up was 20 +/- 13 months. Only one patient experienced HBV recurrence (9 months after transplantation). This patient had failed to follow the scheduled prophylaxis. Cumulative survival at 3 years was 83%. Intramuscular HBIg were well tolerated in all cases. Cost analysis comparing intramuscular vs intravenous HBIg administration showed that 39,490 Euros were saved per patient per year. These preliminary results show that low-dose intramuscular HBIg and lamivudine are efficacious and cost-effective for long-term prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation.     

Prophylaxis of recurrent hepatitis B virus by vaccination after liver transplant: preliminary results

Liver transplantation for chronic HBV-induced cirrhosis is associated with a high rate of recurrence and poor long-term survival. Prolonged and combined prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) and lamivudine has been demonstrated to prevent HBV recurrence, but its lifelong administration is highly expensive. An alternative strategy may be the use of an HBV vaccine after liver transplantation. Herein we report the results of administration of a reinforced recombinant HBV vaccine to liver transplant recipients. Twelve patients transplanted for HBV-related liver disease and treated with HBIg for at least 24 months were administered HBV vaccine (40 microg administered intramuscularly and repeated 1 and 2 months thereafter) 2 months after beginning the last HBIg dose. The response rate to HBV vaccination was 75% (9/12 patients). Serum titers of anti-HBs were considered to be protective when they reached levels >10 IU/L. Responding patients were followed for a median of 43+/-22.5 months; during this period none of the responders showed evidence of HBV recurrence. These results suggest that vaccine administration after liver transplant may avoid HBV recurrence allowing HBIg withdrawal. However, future studies are necessary to define an optimal schedule.     

Adherence to Lamivudine after an early withdrawal of hepatitis B immune globulin plays an important role in the long-term prevention of hepatitis B virus recurrence

Lamivudine combined with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) is the standard of care for preventing the recurrence hepatitis B virus after liver transplant. To determine the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after early withdrawal of HBIg in patients receiving lamivudine maintenance therapy, 20 patients receiving a course of HBIg and lamivudine after transplantation and long-term maintenance therapy with lamivudine and 9 patients receiving HBIg and lamivudine indefinitely were analyzed. The survival rate was 90% after a mean follow-up of 83 months. The HBV recurrence rate was 14% with a mean period of 91 months free from HBV recurrence. Both groups had similar HBV recurrence rates, 15% for the combination and 11% for lamivudine alone. Four patients, 3 of whom were noncompliant with therapy, experienced posttransplant HBV recurrence. Patients who adhere to long-term prophylaxis with lamivudine after early withdrawal of HBIg have a low risk of HBV recurrence, similar to those who receive combination prophylaxis.     

Use of combined treatment of hepatitis B immune globulin and lamivudine as prevention of hepatitis B virus recurrence in liver allograft

Antiviral prophylaxis with lamivudine appears to reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after liver transplantation, although recurrence of infection occurs in at least 20% of the patients because of the development of drug resistance. Treatment for HBV reinfection with lamivudine pretransplantation and posttransplantation together with hepatitis B immunoglobulin could abolish recurrence of HBV infections following liver transplantation. We report the experience at our center in which lamivudine has been used in combination with low doses of immunoglobulin. Lamivudine (100 mg/d) was administered to liver transplant candidates for at least 4 weeks before transplantation and was continued posttransplantation indefinitely. Immunoglobulin was administered intramuscularly (10,000 IU at time of liver transplantation; 1,000 IU for 1 week; 1,000 IU weekly the first month; and 1,000 IU monthly thereafter). Lamivudine and low-dose immunoglobulin administration prevents posttransplantation recurrence of hepatitis B with 100% efficiency; it is well tolerated and is less cost-effective than high-dose immunoglobulin regimens.     

Genotype prevalence, viral load and outcome of hepatitis B virus precore mutant infection in stable patients and in patients after liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: The precore mutant is detectable in most Israeli patients with persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes, viral load and outcome of precore mutant infection in stable patients and in patients after liver transplantation. METHODS: The prevalence of HBV genotype and viral load were investigated in 81 patients with HBV precore mutant infection. Of these, 50 patients (40 males, 10 females; mean age 43.4 +/- 11.0 yr) underwent liver transplantation and were serum HBV DNA-negative by hybridization at the time of transplantation. Patients received long-term HBV immunoprophylaxis and immunosuppression, and lamivudine in cases of graft HBV recurrence. The remaining 31 patients were stable, with serum anti-HBe-positivity. Genotypes were tested by restriction fragment length polymorphism of an S gene amplicon. Precore mutations were studied with an INNO-LiPA probe assay. RESULTS: Follow-up was 46.6 +/- 37.7 months. Most of the transplanted group was of Middle Eastern origin (53.6%); the remainder were from Eastern Europe (21.4%), Western Europe and the USA (10.8%), Africa (7.1%), and Asia (7.1%). In the transplanted group, the pre-transplant HBV genotype D was the most prevalent (96%), while genotype A was found in only 4%. Eleven patients (22%) developed recurrent HBV infection post-transplantation. There were no differences in genotype distribution between patients with graft reinfection or lamivudine resistance and patients without recurrence. Mean viral load at recurrence was 148.4 x 10(6) +/- 60.4 x 10(6) copies/mL. The stable group had a similar origin and HBV genotype prevalence, but a lower mean viral load of 12.4 x 10(6) +/- 29.4 x 10(6) copies/mL (p = 0.007). The prevalence of mutations at the precore region and codon 28 was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The chronic precore mutant HBV-infected patients were characterized as follows: (i) genotype D was the most frequent genotype, (ii) the HBV genotype distribution was similar in patients with stable infection and after liver transplantation, (iii) viral load at recurrence was significantly higher than in stable infection, and (iv) HBV genotype was unrelated to the development of recurrence or lamivudine resistance in the tested population.     

New era of liver transplantation for hepatitis B: a 17-year single-center experience

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the variables affecting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) outcome for hepatitis B virus (HBV) in a large patient cohort over a 17-year period. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Historically, OLT for chronic HBV infection has been associated with aggressive reinfection and poor survival results. More recently, OLT outcome has been improved with the routine use of antiviral therapy with either hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) or lamivudine; however, HBV recurrence remains common. The authors studied the factors affecting HBV recurrence and outcome of transplantation, including the effects of combination viral prophylaxis with HBIg and lamivudine. METHODS: A retrospective review of 166 OLT recipients for chronic HBV over a 17-year period at a single center was performed. Median follow-up was 29 months. HBV recurrence was defined by HBsAg seropositivity after OLT. HBIg monotherapy was used in 28 (17%) patients, lamivudine monotherapy in 20 (12%), and HBIg and lamivudine combination in 89 (54%); 29 (17%) did not receive any HBV prophylaxis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was present in 43 patients (26%) and urgent United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) status was assigned to 27 patients (16%). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors that affected OLT outcome. RESULTS: Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 85.8%, 73.6%, and 71.8%, respectively. As expected, HBV recurrence-free survival rates were significantly lower than overall survival rates (76.4%, 58.7%, and 48.3%). When compared with a nontreated cohort, OLT recipients receiving combination viral prophylaxis with HBIg and lamivudine showed markedly reduced HBV recurrence rates and significantly improved 1- and 3-year recurrence-free survival rates. By univariate estimates, patient survival was reduced in the presence of HCC, in the Asian population, and urgent candidates by UNOS classification. Graft loss rates were significantly increased in urgent OLT candidates, Asians, patients with pretransplant positive DNA, and in the presence of HCC. Factors that were significant by univariate analysis or thought to be clinically relevant were subjected to multivariate analysis. By multivariate estimates, urgent UNOS or presence of HCC adversely affected patient and graft survival rates, whereas combination prophylactic therapy strongly predicted improved patient and graft survival rates as well as recurrence-free survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: Orthotopic liver transplantation for HBV under combination viral prophylaxis results in survival rates equivalent to other indications. Pretransplant viral replication, UNOS status, and the presence of HCC are all sensitive markers for posttransplantation outcome. Viral prophylactic therapy has effectively reduced HBV recurrence and prolonged survival outcomes. The combination of HBIg and lamivudine is the prophylactic regimen of choice.     

Role of lamivudine in the posttransplant prophylaxis of chronic hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus coinfection

BACKGROUND: Posttransplant combined lamivudine (LAM) and immunoglobulin (HBIg) prophylaxis is the gold standard in the case of single hepatitis B virus (HBV), but is still not recommended in the case of patients coinfected with hepatitis delta virus (HDV). METHODS: We compared two consecutive groups of chronic HDV carriers who survived >6 months after liver transplantation of the risk of recurrence, survival and HBIg requirements: 21 received passive prophylaxis (HBIg group) and 25 were treated with combined prophylaxis (LAM+HBIg group). The immunoprophylaxis schedule was the same in both groups: intramuscular HBIg targeted to maintain anti-HBs levels of >500 IU/L during the first 6 posttransplant months and >200 IU/L thereafter. RESULTS: The mean length of follow-up in the two groups was significantly different (133 vs. 40 months; P<0.001). None of the patients in either group developed recurrent hepatitis, and the 3-year actuarial survival rate was 100% in both groups. During the first 6 months, HBIg requirement was 38% lower in the LAM+HBIg group although similar anti-HBs target levels were maintained, leading to significantly lower costs (5,000 Euros in the first year and 500 Euros in the second). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of large and homogeneous cohort of long-term HDV coinfected liver transplant survivors showing the absence of HBV recurrence under combined prophylaxis. Although retrospective, our results suggest that combined anti-HBV prophylaxis should also be preferred to single immunoprophylaxis in patients with HDV coinfection because it allows significant cost savings in the first two posttransplant years.     

肝移植术后预防乙型肝炎病毒再感染的策略

目的探讨预防肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）再感染的综合策略.方法对术前存在HBV感染的130例肝移植患者进行前瞻性研究,采用肌肉注射剂型乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白（IMHBIg）联合口服拉米夫定（lamivudine）作为预防术后HBV再感染的治疗方案;术后监测HBV再感染的情况.结果在130例患者中,128例术后HBsAg转为阴性,检测血清HBsAb呈阳性.平均随访12.2个月,8例出现HBV再感染,再感染率为6.3%;术前HBeAg阳性者再感染率为14.3%,阴性者4.0%,两组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;术后第一天HBsAg阳性者再感染率为21.1%,阴性者3.7%,两组间差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.结论拉米夫定联合肌肉注射剂型的人乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白可有效预防肝移植术后HBV再感染;术前血清HBeAg阳性以及术后第一天HBsAg者是术后HBV复发的高危因素.     

Short-term high-dose followed by long-term low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin and lamivudine therapy prevented recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) and lamivudine combination has been accepted as the best way to control hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation. However, the optimal dose of HBIg and the target titer of hepatitis B surface antibody (HBsAb) remain unclear. We report our satisfactory experience with high-dose HBIg in the early period followed by low-dose HBIg with lamivudine. Subjects comprised five patients with fulminant hepatitis (FH) and 18 patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) who underwent liver transplantation. HBIg at a dosage of 200 IU/kg per day was administered for one week postoperatively. Thereafter, HBIg was administered only for HBsAb titer <100 IU/L. After six months, HBIg was withdrawn in FH and administered in LC only for HBsAb titer <10 IU/L. Lamivudine was administered to two FH and all LC cases. Although two patients with LC showed transient hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) recurrence, all patients remained HBsAg-negative at the final follow-up date. This method allows reliable and cost-effective control of hepatitis B recurrence.     

121例重型乙型肝炎肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒再感染的防治

目的 探讨重型乙型肝炎肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)再感染的防治.方法 回顾性分析了121例重型乙型肝炎患者,移植前后给予抗病毒药物预防乙型肝炎病毒再感染,拉米夫定 乙肝免疫球蛋白(HBIg)114例,阿德福韦 拉米夫定 HBIg 4例,恩替卡韦 HBIg 3例,观察临床症状、血清HBsAg、血清HBeAg、血清HBV DNA及肝活检免疫组织化学检测等指标.结果 用拉米夫定 HBIg预防的114例患者中,有4例出现再感染,表现为血清HBsAg阳性,肝活检免疫组织化学检测有HBsAg表达,其中3例经治疗后HBsAg转阴.用阿德福韦 拉米夫定 HBIg或恩替卡韦 HBIg预防的7例中,血清学和肝活检免疫组织化学检测均无HBsAg表达.结论 拉米夫定 HBIg、拉米夫定 阿德福韦 HBIg或恩替卡韦 HBIg的联合应用以及合理使用免疫抑制剂可以有效预防重型乙型肝炎患者移植术后乙型肝炎病毒的再感染.     

Management of hepatitis B virus infection in liver transplant recipients: prospects and challenges

Although survival of liver transplantation for patients with hepatitis B infection is comparable to uninfected transplant recipients, prevention of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection remains an important goal. In this article, several aspects of the hepatitis B reinfection and its management will be examined. Approximately 50% of the treatment failures that occur with hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) prophylaxis are due to mutations in the 'a' determinant of the HBV. In patients without mutations, failure of HBIg therapy may relate to the frequency and dose of HBIg, the type and amount of immunosuppression, and the pre-transplant replication status. Antiviral therapy with lamivudine and famciclovir has been used successfully to treat patients who have failed HBIg treatment and as monotherapies for liver transplant recipients. Combining antiviral and immunomodulatory therapies appears efficacious, at least in the short term. New developments related to immunotherapy predict three potential trends in future use: 1) i.v. formulated HBIg, 2) monoclonal antibodies, or 3) hepatitis B immune plasma. In conclusion, there are an increasing number of therapeutic options for the management of patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatitis B infection. Continued improvement in patient outcomes requires further understanding of each therapeutic agent and the specific patient characteristics that may influence efficacy.     

Viral load at the time of liver transplantation and risk of hepatitis B virus recurrence.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation is significantly reduced by prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulins (HBIG) or antiviral drugs in nonreplicating patients and by the combination of both drugs in replicating patients. However, the load of HBV DNA, which defines replicating status in patients undergoing liver transplantation, remains unclear. This study analyzes the correlation between the viral load, tested with a single amplified assay, at the time of liver transplantation, and the risk of hepatitis B recurrence in 177 HBV carriers who underwent transplantation in a single center from 1990 to 2002. Overall, HBV relapsed after surgery in 15 patients (8.5%) with a 5- and 8-year actuarial rate of recurrence of 8% and 21%, respectively. After liver transplantation hepatitis B recurred in 9% of 98 selected subjects treated only with immune globulins and in 8% of 79 viremic patients who received immune globulins and lamivudine (P = NS). A linear correlation was observed between recurrence and viral load at the time of surgery. In transplant patients with HBV DNA higher than 100,000 copies/mL, 200-99,999 copies/mL, and DNA undetectable by amplified assay, hepatitis B recurred in 50%, 7.5%, and 0% of patients, respectively. Overall, a viral load higher than 100,000 copies/mL at the time of liver transplantation was significantly associated with hepatitis B recurrence (P = .0003). In conclusion, spontaneous or antiviral-induced HBV DNA viral load at the time of surgery classifies the risk of HBV recurrence after liver transplantation and indicates the best prophylaxis strategy.     

One‐year vaccination against hepatitis B virus with a MPL‐vaccine in liver transplant patients for HBV‐related cirrhosis

Conflicting results have been reported on vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a prophylaxis against viral recurrence after liver transplantation. We investigated the efficacy of 1‐year, monthly vaccination using an adjuvant 3‐deacylated monophosphoryl‐lipid‐A (MPL) recombinant S vaccine initially administered together with hepatitis B immunoglobulins (HBIg) in 18 patients transplanted for HBV‐related cirrhosis. All received 12 vaccine doses (HBsAg, 20 mcg plus MPL, 50 mcg): the initial six doses (phase I) were administered within 7 days after intravenous HBIg (2000 IU), while the last 6 (phase II) following HBIg withdrawal. All patients received lamivudine during the study. Anti‐HBs titers were determined before each dose and then for 1 year after vaccination. After phase I anti‐HBs titers were greater than 100 IU/l in all patients and in three (16.6%) were greater than 500 IU/l. After phase II 10 patients (55.5%) achieved anti‐HBs titers greater than 100 IU/l and five (27.7%) greater than 500 IU/l. One year after vaccination eight patients (44.4%) maintained anti‐HBs titers greater than 100 IU/l, with a median titer of 234 IU/l (102–1205), and 2 (11.1%) greater than 500 IU/l. One‐year extended monthly vaccination with a MPL‐adjuvant recombinant vaccine induces a sustained protective anti‐HBs response in approximately half of transplant recipients.     

Lamivudine for hepatitis B in liver transplantation: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been associated with a high rate of reinfection and graft failure. Lamivudine, a potent inhibitor of HBV replication, has been shown to prevent viral recurrence after transplantation. METHODS: The effectiveness of lamivudine monotherapy for the management of HBV recurrence after liver transplantation was assessed. Lamivudine was used in three patient groups: (1) patients started before transplantation and continued after transplantation (n = 13); (2) patients treated after transplantation (n = 15); and (3) patients with de novo hepatitis B after transplantation (n = 4). RESULTS: Median follow-up on lamivudine was 24 months. Active viral replication (HBV-DNA+) was seen in 17 (53%) of 32 at treatment initiation. All lost HBV-DNA at a mean of 2.4+/-1.6 months after lamivudine initiation. Twenty-six (81%) patients remain free of viral recurrence. Six (19%) patients have evidence of breakthrough infection with the YMDD mutant of HBV, two of whom progressed to graft failure. All four patients in group 1 who developed breakthrough had evidence of hepatitis B surface antigen expression in the explanted liver by immunohistochemistry despite being serum HBV-DNA negative before transplantation. No difference was observed among the three groups in DNA clearance or breakthrough rates. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine achieves viral DNA clearance in almost all patients. Expression of viral antigens in the liver seems to identify patients at risk of developing HBV-DNA recurrence. Disease-free survival of 81% at 22 months is similar to data with hepatitis B immunoglobulin therapy. Given the safe clinical profile and high efficacy in the prevention of disease recurrence, lamivudine will favorably change the outlook of liver transplantation for HBV.     

肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒再感染的防治

目的 探讨肝移植治疗乙型肝炎相关肝病的效果和术后乙型肝炎病毒再感染的防治。方法 观察17例乙型肝炎相关患者接受肝移植后，使用拉米夫定及乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白（HBIg)的治疗和随访情况。结果 17例肝移植后，仅2例出现HBsAg阳性，全部肝功能良好。结论 肝移植是治疗乙型肝炎的有效方法，拉米夫定及HBIg可有效预防肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒的再感染。     

乙肝免疫球蛋白预防乙肝相关肝癌患者术后病毒再激活的效果研究

目的 前瞻性评估乙肝免疫球蛋白（HBIg）预防乙肝相关肝癌患者术后HBV再激活的效果。方法 纳入2014 年6 月至10 月在复旦大学附属中山医院诊断为原发性肝癌且血清乙肝表面抗原（HBsAg）阳性的患者51 例,按照治疗方法不同分为2 组,其中治疗组38 例,为血清HBV-DNA阳性患者,术前予以HBIg治疗;对照组13例,为血清HBV-DNA阴性患者。分析比较两组患者术后病毒激活率和HBIg有效率。结果 HBIg治疗组术后病毒激活率明显低于对照组（7.9% vs 53.8%,P=0.001）。Logistic回归分析表明,未予HBIg治疗是术后病毒激活的独立危险因素（OR 64.167,95%CI 9.472～434.696,P＜0.001）。治疗组中合并谷丙转氨酶（ALT）异常的患者术后病毒激活率高于ALT正常者,但无统计学差异（15.4% vs 4.0%,P=0.55）。治疗组中HBIg总体有效率为34.2%,其中合并ALT异常者有效率高于ALT正常者（61.5% vs 20.0%,P=0.011）。另外,长期使用核苷类似物（NAs）的患者术后病毒激活率与未使用者无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论 HBIg可有效预防乙肝相关肝癌患者术后HBV再激活,且在伴有ALT水平异常的患者中治疗效果更好。     

Hepatitis C virus genotypes and quantitation of serum hepatitis C virus RNA in liver transplant recipients: Relationship with severity of histological recurrence and implications in the pathogenesis of HCV infection

The reasons for the wide variation of incidence and severity of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation are not clear. We have studied liver transplant recipients to assess the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype and HCV RNA quantification on HCV recurrence after transplantation. Twenty-two patients received transplants for HCV cirrhosis and were followed up with virological and histological assessments. Mean follow-up was 39 months. HCV genotype was determined with line probe assay (Inno-Lipa). HCV RNA quantity was determined in serum samples by use of polymerase chain reaction nested assay. HCV genotype 1 was detected in 13 patients and other genotypes in 9. Histological recurrence rates were 69% in patients with genotype 1 and 66% in patients with other genotypes. All cases of severe histological injury (chronic active hepatitis or cirrhosis) were observed in patients with genotype 1. HCV RNA quantity was significantly higher in patients with genotype 1 (mean, 2.023 x 10³ copies/mL) than in patients with other genotypes (mean, 27,403 copies/mL). In conclusion, the severity of histological recurrence after liver transplantation for HCV disease was higher in patients infected by HCV genotype 1 than in those infected with other genotypes. The levels of viral replication were higher in patients with HCV genotype 1 than in those with other genotypes. (Liver Transpl Surg 1997 Sep;3(5):501-5)     

拉米夫定联合小剂量乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白预防肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒复发

目的:初步探讨拉米夫定联合小剂量乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白预防肝移植术后乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)复发的疗效。方法:35例HBV相关疾病病人接受肝移植后使用拉米夫定联合小剂量乙型肝炎免疫球蛋白(HBIg)预防HBV复发,同时监测乙型肝炎血清标志物、血清HBV鄄DNA、YMDD区变异及肝活检组织乙型肝炎标记物免疫组化。结果:本组病例平均获随访557d,结果5例(14.3%)出现了HBV复发:复发病例中2例HBV鄄DNA阳性,无YMDD变异。病人术前HBeAg状态与肝移植术后HBV复发间无明显相关(P>0.05),而术前HBV鄄DNA阳性的病人术后HBV复发率显著增加(P<0.05)。结论:拉米夫啶联合小剂量HBIg预防肝移植术后HBV复发的近期疗效较为肯定。术前HBV鄄DNA状态是影响术后HBV复发的重要因素。