Natural leukocyte interferon alfa for the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: A more rapid and aggressive course of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related infection in organ transplant recipients has been described. Interferon alfa is the most accepted drug for treating HBV and HCV chronic infections. However, the use of interferon alfa-N3 has been contraindicated in heart transplant (HTx) recipients because of the hypothesized greater risk of triggering acute cellular rejection. The aim of this clinical pilot study was to evaluate tolerability, safety, and efficacy of natural leukocyte interferon alfa in the treatment of chronic HBV and HCV in HTx recipients. METHODS: Seven HTx recipients were enrolled in the study: two with HBV, four with HCV, and one with combined HBV-HCV chronic infection. The patients had a mean follow-up after heart transplantation of 8.5+/-3 years, before starting interferon alfa-N3 treatment at a dose of 6 MU three times per week, intramuscularly for 12 months. RESULTS: All patients completed the treatment with no major side effects. No unexpected episodes of acute cellular rejection were observed during the treatment. Mean aminotransferase serum levels were significantly lower than before transplantation at 3 (P<0.03), 6 (P<0.02), and 12 (P<0.02) months of treatment and at the 12-month follow-up (P<0.02). A complete and sustained response was achieved in all subjects with HBV-related chronic hepatitis, whereas sustained virologic response was observed in one of four HCV patients. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary data emerging from our study indicate that natural leukocyte interferon alfa-N3 can be safely administered in HTx recipients with chronic HBV or HCV viral hepatitis. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are needed to assess the efficacy of interferon alfa-N3 on HCV virologic response.     

Management of chronic viral hepatitis before and after renal transplantation

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is present in 2-50% of renal transplant recipients and patients receiving hemodialysis. Renal transplantation confers an overall survival benefit in HCV positive (HCV+) hemodialysis patients, with similar 5-year patient and graft survival to those without HCV infection. However, longer-term studies have reported increased liver-related mortality in HCV-infected recipients. Unfortunately, attempts to eradicate HCV infection before transplant have been disappointing. Interferon is poorly tolerated in-patients with end-stage renal disease and ribavirin is contraindicated because reduced renal clearance results in severe hemolysis. Antiviral therapy following renal transplantation is also poorly tolerated, because of interferon-induced rejection and graft loss. Although the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has declined in hemodialysis patients and renal transplant recipients since the introduction of routine vaccination and other infection control measures, it remains high within countries with endemic HBV infection (especially Asia-Pacific and Africa). Renal transplantation is associated with reduced survival in HBsAg+ hemodialysis patients. Unlike interferon, lamivudine is a safe and effective antiviral HBV treatment both before and after renal transplantation. Lamivudine therapy commenced at transplantation should prevent early posttransplant reactivation and subsequent progression to cirrhosis and late liver failure. This preemptive therapy should also eradicate early liver failure from fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis. Because cessation of treatment may lead to severe lamivudine-withdrawal hepatitis, most patients require long-term therapy. The development of lamivudine-resistance will be accelerated by immunosuppression and may result in severe hepatitis flares with decompensation. Regular monitoring with liver function tests and HBV DNA measurements should enable early detection and rescue with adefovir. Chronic HCV and HBV infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. The best predictor for liver mortality is advanced liver disease at the time of transplant, and liver biopsy should be considered in all potential HBsAg+ or HCV+ renal transplant candidates without clinical or radiologic evidence of cirrhosis. Established cirrhosis with active viral infection should be considered a relative contraindication to isolated renal transplantation.     

Impact of Hepatitis B and C Virus Infections on Kidney Transplantation: A Single Center Experience

ObjectiveThe impacts of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections on patient and renal graft survivals are controversial. This study sought to evaluate the effects of pretransplantation HCV and HBV infections on renal transplant patients and their grafts at our center.Patients and MethodsWe retrospectively examined 1224 renal transplantations performed between 1992 and 2006, including 28 HBsAg positive; 64, anti-HCV; 9, anti-HCV plus HBsAg positive; and 1123, negative for anti-HCV and HBsAg. The mean posttransplantation follow-up was 5.6 ± 4.1 years.ResultsThe prevalences of HBV infection were 6.2% in 1994 and 2.3% in 2006 and those of HCV infection were 6.8% in 1998 and 5.2% in 2006. The rejection rate was higher among HBV+ (46.4%) and HCV+ (40.6%) groups than the negative groups (31.5%), but it was not significant. There were no significant differences in patient and graft survivals among the groups. The major cause of patient death was liver failure among patients with concomitant HBV+ and HCV+ infections and cardiovascular disease among HCV+ and negative patients.ConclusionsThere has been a decrease in the prevalence of recipients with hepatitis virus infections over the last 15 years. Patient and graft survivals were not affected by HCV or HBV infection.     

Relationship of hepatitis B or C virus prevalences, risk factors, and outcomes in renal transplant recipients: analysis of German data

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease resulting from hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infections is still a major concern in kidney recipients. Our aim was to evaluate the prevalences, risk factors, and impact of HBV and HCV infections in adult renal transplant recipients in Germany. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected on 1633 kidney recipients transplanted between 1989 and 2002 at the 21 German renal transplant centers participating in MOST, the prospective Multinational Observational Study in Transplantation. Subgroup analyses compared HBV- and HCV-positive patients vs those with HBV/HCV-negative serology at the time of transplantation. RESULTS: The prevalences of 4.4% (n = 72) for HBV and 5.8% (n = 94) for HCV showed a marked decline over the last 15 years. Retransplantations were significantly more common among HBV+ (29%) and HCV+ (36%) than HBV-/HCV- patients (12%). HCV+ patients experienced significantly longer dialysis times and received significantly more pretransplantation blood transfusions. Between all groups, no significant differences were observed in acute rejection rate at 12 months or in renal graft function up to 5 years posttransplantation (mean glomerular filtration rate: HBV+, 57.3 mL/min; HCV+, 58.5 mL/min; HBV-/HCV-, 59 mL/min). No progressive elevations in liver enzymes and bilirubin were noted during the 5-year observation period. CONCLUSIONS: HBV and HCV infections currently have a low prevalence among German kidney graft recipients. Long dialysis times, blood transfusions, and retransplantations were identified as risk factors for hepatitis infections. At 5 years posttransplantation, kidney and liver functions did not differ significantly between HBV+ and HCV+ vs HBV-/HCV- renal transplant recipients.     

A role for chronic parvovirus B19 infection in liver dysfunction in renal transplant recipients?

BACKGROUND: Clinically, liver dysfunction in renal transplant recipients is related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The contribution of parvovirus B19 (B19) to liver disease in renal transplant recipients has not been studied. Here we present the association of liver dysfunction with or without the coinfection of B19, HBV, and HCV after renal transplantation. METHODS: We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify B19, HBV, and HCV infections in serum samples taken from 144 renal transplant recipients before transplantation and at 12 and 24 months after transplantation. After each patient had fasted for 12 hr, blood was taken for measurement of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase monthly for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Liver dysfunction developed at the significantly higher incidence of 47% in the anti-HCV(+) patients compared with 6% in the noninfected group (P<0.0001). HBV infection had no impact on the incidence of liver dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. A higher incidence of liver dysfunction was found in 42% of B19 IgG(+)IgM(-) group patients compared with 13% of the B19 IgG(+)IgM(+) group (P=0.0051) and 9.5% of the B19 IgG(-)IgM(-) group (P=0.0003). A B19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay revealed significantly higher liver dysfunction in 29% of B19 PCR(+) group patients compared with 13.6% of B19 PCR(-) patients (P=0.0419). Patients who were anti-HCV(+) and B19 PCR(+) had a significantly higher incidence of liver dysfunction than B19 PCR(-) patients (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic B19 infection and HCV infection, both separately and in combination, increase the incidence of liver dysfunction in renal transplant recipients. HBV infection does not seem to be independently or synergistically associated with liver dysfunction.     

Viral hepatitis infections among dialysis patients: Thailand registry report

BACKGROUND: Patients on dialysis are at high risk of acquiring viral hepatitis infections. However, there were only few data from Thailand. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors of viral hepatitis infections among dialysis patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate 5179 medical records of dialysis patients from the Thailand Renal Replacement Therapy Registry. RESULTS: In 2002, the seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections were 6.3% (n = 2454) and 4.8% (n = 2167), respectively. HBV and HCV seroprevalence became 6.5% (n = 2585) and 4.3% (n = 2399) in 2003. The incidence of HBV and HCV infections were 1.5 and 2.4 cases per 1000 patient-years, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age and gender were significant risk factors for HBV infection, but not for HCV infection. CONCLUSION: In Thailand, it was not uncommon for dialysis patients to acquire viral hepatitis infections. However, our prevalence is similar to reports from some other South-East Asian countries.     

乙型肝炎病毒和丙型肝炎病毒感染对肾移植受者存活的影响

目的探讨乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)和(或)丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis C virus,HCV)感染对肾移植受者长期存活的影响及预防措施。方法 HBV和(或)HCV感染肾移植受者110例(感染组),其中HBV感染受者56例、HCV感染受者52例,HBV与HCV合并感染2例。非HBV与非HCV感染受者694例(非感染组)。感染组受者术前有病毒复制者予积极治疗,研究早期肝功能正常者可接受肾移植,后期均用聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测,要求连续3～6个月HBV脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)0copy/ml,HCV核糖核酸(RNA)0copy/ml方可接受肾移植。术后定期检测HBV与HCV,定期检测感染组受者HBVDNA滴度、HCVRNA滴度。发现HBV复制,选用拉米夫定、阿德福韦酯治疗,酌情减少免疫抑制剂用量。分别比较两组术后1、3、5年人、肾存活率,比较两组的肝功能衰竭病死率。结果非感染组人、肾存活率分别为:1年94.2%、91.4%,3年为86.4%、85.2%,5年为82.7%、78.9%;感染组人、肾存活率分别为:1年90.2%、88.1%,3年为88.9%、86.2%,5年为81.5%、76.3%;两组数据比较差异均无统计学意义(均为P>0.05)。感染组中14例(12.7%)死于肝功能衰竭,其中10例为HBV感染者,非感染组受者无1例死于肝衰竭。感染组术后肝衰竭病死率明显高于非感染组(12.7%、0,P<0.05)。结论受者术前HBV和(或)HCV感染会明显增加肾移植术后肝衰竭死亡危险。患者术前处于病毒复制期应予积极治疗,在肝炎病毒停止复制6个月后再考虑肾移植。长期随访中应定期复查HBV与HCV感染指标,早确诊、早治疗,并及时调整免疫抑制剂剂量。     

Impact of hepatitis serology on development of leukopenia after solid organ transplantation

BACKGROUND: Homologous organ transplantation is an accepted therapeutic modality for end-stage disease of the kidney and liver. In posttransplantation periods leukopenia is a common problem with a wide range of differential diagnoses. Not only can it lead to an increased incidence of infections, but preclude the use of adequate immunosuppressive therapy and antimicrobial regimens because of their potential leukopenic side effects. One reason for leukopenia is viral hepatitis, which is frequently seen in transplant recipients. Herein this report, we searched for the relationship of leukopenic bouts among kidney and liver transplantation recipients to hepatitis serology. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the records of 569 patients who received solid transplants between January 1996 and October 2006. Because 27 patients did not come for follow-up examinations, their data were excluded, and 14 patients had 2 transplantations, yielding 556 primary transplantation cases for leukopenic attacks. RESULTS: Leukopenic attacks showed a strong relationship with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, but were independent of HBV DNA status (P = .002). No relationship with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection status was found. CONCLUSIONS: Leukopenia is a common, important complication that can be seen during the posttransplantation period of recipients affecting both mortality and morbidity. HBV infection is a risk factor for development of leukopenia after transplantation. Adequate treatment of HBV infection in transplant recipients is important to obtain leukocyte counts in the normal range, allowing easier and safe antibacterial and immunosuppressive therapy in the posttransplantation period.     

乙、丙型肝炎病毒感染对肾移植患者长期存活的影响

目的　了解乙型肝炎病毒（ＨＢＶ） 及丙型肝炎病毒（ＨＣＶ） 感染对肾移植患者长期存活的影响。方法　对８０ 例感染ＨＢＶ、ＨＣＶ 者肾移植术后肝病及排斥的发生情况、死亡原因及长期存活率进行分析。结果　移植后慢性肝病发生率为２１ ．２５％ , 死亡率为１８ ．７５ ％ , 显著高于非感染组（１ ．１９ ％ , Ｐ＜ ０．０１） ;ＨＣＶ 组超急性排斥及加速性排斥的发生率（６ ．０６％ ,９ ．０９ ％ ） 显著高于非感染组（０ ．７２ ％ ,２ ．７４ ％ ; Ｐ＜ ０ ．０１ , Ｐ＜ ０ ．０５）。结论　ＨＢＶ及ＨＣＶ感染显著影响肾移植受者的长期存活率; 移植后肝病及感染是其主要死因; 对ＨＢＶ 及ＨＣＶ 感染患者应采取合理的免疫抑制治疗。     

Long-term impact of hepatitis B, C virus infection on renal transplantation

Chronic liver disease and its complications are major problems in renal transplant recipients. Our aim was to elucidate the influence of hepatitis B, C virus infection on the long-term outcome of renal transplantation. Four hundred and seventy-seven patients who received renal transplantation between January 1984 and December 1999, and who were followed up at our hospital were enrolled. HBsAg was detected by the RIA method and anti-HCV Ab was assayed by the second-generation RIA kit. SGOT/ SGPT were checked every 3 months. Hepatoma was diagnosed by dynamic CT scan, elevated alpha-fetoprotein, hypervascularity by angiography and confirmed by pathological examination. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, coinfected HBV/HCV was 9.9% (n = 47), 28.5% ( n = 136), 3.1% (n = 15), respectively. The incidences of hepatoma in the HBV-/HCV-, HBV-/HCV+, HBV+/HCV-, HBV+/HCV+ groups were 1.4% (n = 4), 4.4% (n = 6), 6.4% (n = 3), 6.7% (n = 1), respectively (p = 0.114). The incidences of liver cirrhosis/hepatic failure were 3.2% (n = 9), 6.6% (n = 9), 21.3% (n = 10), 20% (n = 3), respectively (p < 0.001). The frequencies of chronic liver disease were 10.4% (n = 29), 45.6% (n = 62), 66% (n = 31), 80% (n = 12), respectively (p < 0.001). Patient and graft survival rates were lower in the HBV-infected group than in the other groups. Cox regression analysis revealed that HBV infection is likely an independent risk factor for patient mortality although the statistical significance was only borderline. Patients with HBV as well as HCV infection were not at risk of graft loss according to this model of analysis. Patients with HBV infection showed higher incidences of hepatoma, hepatic failure, graft failure and death. Therefore, HBV-infected patients who are candidates for renal transplantation should be carefully evaluated. It seems that HCV infection has little influence on the outcome of renal transplant recipients. A longer period of follow-up is needed to clarify the impact of HCV on renal transplant recipients.     

Serologic profile in hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in a Brazilian liver transplant waiting list

Chronic viral hepatitis is currently the most common indication for liver transplantation (OLT). Knowing the serological profile of patients on the liver transplant waiting list (LTWL) is essential to manage prophylactic and therapeutic strategies pre- and post-OLT. The aim of this study was to determine the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological profile on the LTWL. METHODS: Serological data were collected from 44 candidates included on the LTWL from May 2003 to November 2004. HBV and HCV serological profiles were performed by microenzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (66.7%) lacked HBV serological markers. Anti-HBs was detected in 9.5% and was positive for HBsAg, anti-HBc, IgM anti-HBc, or HbeAg in 4.8% of patients, probably related to reactivation of chronic infection. In 7.1% of patients, the markers demonstrated serological cure of infection. In HCV patients, 41.5% were positive. There was HBV and HCV co-infection in 12.2% of patients. CONCLUSION: HBV infection in 21.4% of the patients corroborates the need to use more efficient protocols for prophylactic and therapeutic management pre- and post-OLT. The high prevalence of HCV infection reinforces the need to follow adequate protocols to avoid related complications and guarantee rational and universal use of more efficient drugs.     

Viral infection following kidney transplantation: long-term follow-up in a single center

INTRODUCTION: Viral infections are a leading cause of posttransplantation morbidity and mortality. The use of more potent immunosuppressive agents is responsible in part for the increasing incidence of some viral infections. This study summarized our experience with viral infections in 561 kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The spectrum of viral infections in 561 consecutive kidney transplant recipients was examined retrospectively from November 1982 to November 2002. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 64.0 months, 193 virus infections in 156 of 561 kidney transplant recipients were recorded, an incidence of 34.2%. The most common viruses were cytomegalovirus (36.3%), varicella zoster virus (29.0%), herpes simplex virus (23.8%), BK virus (4.7%), hepatitis B virus (3.6%), and hepatitis C virus (2.6%). Among the CMV infections, 77.1% developed subclinical CMV infection and 22.9% had CMV disease. Generalized herpes zoster infection occurred in three cases and chicken pox in six cases. During a mean follow-up of 64.0 months, two of 159 patients died of CMV pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Viral infections among the kidney transplant recipients continue to be a major problem despite significant progress in understanding the pathogenesis of viral infection and the advent of antiviral therapy.     

Hepatitis B core antibody positive donors as a safe and effective therapeutic option to increase available organs for lung transplantation

BACKGROUND: The use of hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb+) and hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab+) positive donors represents one strategy to increase available donor organs, but this remains controversial because of concern for viral transmission to recipients. We hypothesized that isolated HBcAb+ donors represent minimal risk of viral transmission in vaccinated lung transplant (LTx) recipients. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed of LTx recipients who received HBcAb+ or HCV Ab+ pulmonary allografts. We analyzed liver function studies, viral hepatitis screening tests, quantitative polymerase chain reaction for hepatitis B viral DNA (HBV DNA) and hepatitis C viral RNA (HCV RNA), freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome, acute rejection, and survival. RESULTS: Between April 1992 and August 2003, 456 LTx operations were performed. Twenty-nine patients (HB group) received HBcAb+ allograft transplants with a median posttransplant follow-up of 24.5 months. Three critically ill patients (HC group) received HCV Ab+ allografts with a median follow-up of 21.5 months. One-year survival for the HB group is 83% versus 82% for all patients who received non-HB organs (P=0.36). No patient in the HB group developed clinical liver disease because of viral hepatitis, and all patients alive (n=21) at follow-up are, to date, HBV DNA and/or HBcAb negative. All patients in the HC group tested HCV RNA positive; one patient died of liver failure at 22 months. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of viral transmission with HCV Ab+ allografts seems high after LTx. However, the use of HBcAb+ pulmonary allografts in recipients with prior hepatitis B vaccination seems to be a safe and effective strategy to increase organ availability.     

Prevalence of occult hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus infections in Turkish hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although their exact prevalence is not known, HBV and HCV viral infections and occult viral hepatitis are frequent in these patients. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of occult HBV and HCV infections in maintenance hemodialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and eighty-eight end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis (100 male, mean age 49+/-29 [16-80] years, and mean duration of hemodialysis 98+/-66 [12-228] months) were enrolled in this study. Serological markers for HBV and HCV were determined with immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA) by using commercial diagnostic kits (Access and BioRad, Beckman-Coulter). HCV-RNA (Cobas Amplicor HCV kit) and HBV-DNA (Artus GmbH HBV kit) were determined quantitatively by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Among the patients screened, 25 (13.3%) had HBV infection alone and 38 (20.2%) had HCV infection alone, while seven (3.7%) had dual infection of both viruses. Serological markers for occult hepatitis B and occult hepatitis C were positive in five (2.7%) and nine (4.8%) of the patients, respectively. Isolated anti-HBc was positive in 12 (6.4%) of all patients, three (7.9%) of the patients with anti-HCV and two (40%) of the patients with occult hepatitis B. Isolated anti-HBc positivity was more frequent in patients with occult hepatitis B than in those without (40% [2/5] vs. 5.5% [10/183], p=0.002). None of the patients with HCV had occult hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: Both occult and non-occult forms of HCV infection are more prevalent than HBV infection in hemodialysis patients. Especially the patients with isolated anti-HBc positivity should be tested for probable occult hepatitis B infection.     

HIV-Infected Liver and Kidney Transplant Recipients: 1- and 3-Year Outcomes

Improvements in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated mortality make it difficult to deny transplantation based upon futility. Outcomes in the current management era are unknown. This is a prospective series of liver or kidney transplant recipients with stable HIV disease. Eleven liver and 18 kidney transplant recipients were followed for a median of 3.4 years (IQR [interquartile range] 2.9–4.9). One- and 3-year liver recipients' survival was 91% and 64%, respectively; kidney recipients' survival was 94%. One- and 3-year liver graft survival was 82% and 64%, respectively; kidney graft survival was 83%. Kidney patient and graft survival were similar to the general transplant population, while liver survival was similar to the older population, based on 1999–2004 transplants in the national database. CD4+ T-cell counts and HIV RNA levels were stable; and there were two opportunistic infections (OI). The 1- and 3-year cumulative incidence (95% confidence intervals [CI]) of rejection episodes for kidney recipients was 52% (28–75%) and 70% (48–92%), respectively. Two-thirds of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, but no patient with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, recurred. Good transplant and HIV-related outcomes among kidney transplant recipients, and reasonable outcomes among liver recipients suggest that transplantation is an option for selected HIV-infected patients cared for at centers with adequate expertise.     

Chronic liver disease in kidney recipients with hepatitis C virus infection

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) positive test is higher among patients in dialysis and in kidney recipients than in general population. Hepatitis C virus infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease in renal transplant patients. Liver biopsy and virological analysis were performed to clarify the grade of liver damage in kidney recipients. METHODS: Renal recipients patients with at least 5 yr under immunosuppression were submitted to clinical and laboratory analysis. Patients who tested anti-HCV positive were candidates to liver biopsy with no regard to transaminase levels. RESULTS: Forty-five patients tested anti-HCV positive and 42 anti-HCV negative. Twenty-six anti-HCV and RNA-HCV positive patients were submitted to liver biopsy. Seventy-three percentage of these patients presented chronic active hepatitis, from these only one patient presented cirrhosis. Only 29% of the anti-HCV positive group presented elevated alanine aminotransferase levels. Anti-HCV positive patients presented longer previous time on dialysis and less rejection episodes than the group anti-HCV negative (p < 0.05). All anti-HCV positive patients but one tested RNA-HCV positive by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). CONCLUSIONS: In this series the prevalence of anti-HCV positive is 51.7%. Most of the patients presented liver damage in histology caused by HCV. However, we found only mild or minimal fibrosis and inflammatory activity grade, despite 10 yr of HCV infection and 5 yr of immunosuppressive treatment. Only one patient presented cirrhosis (4%). Performing serial liver biopsies in a long-term follow-up is needed to clarify the impact of HCV infection in renal transplant patients.     

The clinical outcome of hepatitis C virus antibody-positive renal allograft recipients.

In order to investigate the prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in renal transplant patients, the evolution of anti-HCV status, and clinical outcome in anti-HCV-positive renal allograft recipients, we tested the sera from 120 renal transplant patients for anti-HCV. Thirty-eight patients were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive. Two patients were anti-delta-positive. A total of 79 patients (65.8%) had at least one serum positive for anti-HCV. Anti-HCV positivity decreased after transplantation for more than 5 years (65.5% at transplantation versus 37.9%, 78.3 +/- 13.4 months later). Among those with positive anti-HCV, the HBsAg-positive group had significantly higher incidence of chronic hepatitis (50% vs. 25.5%, P = 0.026) and liver cirrhosis (21.4% vs. 0%, P = 0.001) than HBsAg-negative group. Among the 82 HBsAg-negative patients, the prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher in those with chronic hepatitis than in those without (86.7% vs. 56.7%, P = 0.027). We conclude from this study: (1) anti-HCV positivity is quite prevalent in renal transplant patients; (2) coinfection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) may lead to aggressive liver disease and cirrhosis; HCV infection alone has a more benign clinical outcome; and (3) HCV infection is an important cause of posttransplant chronic hepatitis in HBsAg-negative patients.     

Current state of kidney transplantation in patients with HIV,hepatitis C,and hepatitis B infection

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis B (HBV) are common chronic viral infections in the end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patient population that were once considered relative contraindications to kidney transplantation. In this review, we will summarize the current state of kidney transplantation in patients with HIV, HCV, and HBV, which is rapidly evolving. HIV+ patients enjoy excellent outcomes in the modern transplant era and may have new transplant opportunities with the use of HIV+ donors. Direct-acting antivirals for HCV have substantially changed the landscape of care for patients with HCV infection. HBV+ patients now have excellent patient and allograft survival with HBV therapy. Currently, kidney transplantation is a safe and appropriate treatment for the majority of ESKD patients with HIV, HCV, and HBV.