Is hepatitis C virus recurrence a risk factor for chronic liver allograft rejection? |
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Authors: | R Charco V Vargas H Allende A Edo J Balsells E Murio J L Lázaro J Bilbao C Margarit |
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Institution: | Liver Transplantation Unit, Hospital General Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Paseo Vall d'Hebron s/n, E-08035 Barcelona, Spain Tel. +34–3–4183400, ext. 4046;Fax+34–3–4281417 |
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Abstract: | Abstract Several risk factors have been reported that may favour the development of chronic rejection. From October 1988 to December 1993, 97 liver transplants with survival of more than 3 months were included in the study. Fifty-two patients (54.1 %) had chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection before liver transplantation. Immunosup-pression consisted of cyclosporine A and prednisone, whereas 14 patients received FK 506 and prednisone. Severe graft HCV reinfection was present in 32 patients (61.5 %) after liver transplantation and chronic graft hepatitis C was found in 26 cases at the end of the study. Chronic rejection occurred in 8 of 97 allografts (8.25 %); 5 presented chronic rejection and concomitant chronic graft hepatitis C. The incidence of chronic rejection in patients with HCV infection before liver transplantation (9.6 %) did not differ when compared with the negative HCV patients (6.6 %). However, when the 26 cases that developed graft dysfunction due to chronic hepatitis C after liver transplantation were considered, 5 presented chronic rejection, a significantly higher incidence than in the remaining patients (3 of 71) (Yates chi-square test: P < 0.05). In our experience, there appears to be a relationship between the development of chronic rejection and chronic hepatitis C in the graft after liver transplantation. |
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Keywords: | Chronic rejection Hepatitis C virus Liver transplantation |
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