Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation for HCV-related disease: host factors and viral factors implicated in the occurrence and the severity of HCV recurrence

Cirrhosis due to chronic infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), associated or not to a primary hepatocarcinoma, has become the first indication of liver transplantation. Graft reinfection by HCV is considered to be systematic while its prognosis is variable from one patient to another. A better knowledge of factors implicated in the occurrence and severity of hepatitis C recurrence is crucial in order to make optimal patients' monitoring. This article aims to present available data in this field, clarifying the role of viral factors (viral load, genotype, evolution of viral quasispecies) and host-related factors (immune response) which could take part in the development of hepatitis C recurrence.