Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis D Virus Recurrence in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation for Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis B Virus Plus Hepatitis D Virus

• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2016.02.076
• Publication Date: 2016-08-27T05:17:53Z
• Authors: B. Adil; O. Fatih; I. Volkan; B. Bora; E. Veysel; K. Koray; K. Cemalettin; I. Burak; Y. Sezai
• Keywords: Hepatitis D virus; Hepatitis D; Hepatitis B; Seroconversion; Liver disease

In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the recurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection after liver transplantation for HBV and HBV+HDV co-infection.Data from patients infected with HBV and HBV+HDV who underwent liver transplantation between March 2003 and June 2013 at the Liver Transplantation Institute of Inonu University were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 255 patients were included in the study. Group 1 (n = 127) comprised patients who underwent liver transplantation because of HBV, and group 2 (n = 128) comprised patients who underwent liver transplantation because of HBV+HDV. A positive HDV antibody serologic test result was taken to indicate liver disease caused by HBV+HDV.Thirteen of 255 were positive for the HBs Ag (5.1%). Nine (7.1%) and 4 (3.1%) patients were positive for the HBs Ag in groups 1 and 2, respectively (7.1%); the difference was not significant (P = .150). No HDV recurrence was detected in either group. The average time to HBs Ag seroconversion in 13 patients was 7.8 months after surgery (6.34 months in group 1 and 11.1 months in group 2).In our study, recurrence rate of HBV after liver transplantation is not statistically different than the recurrence rate of HBV+HDV co-infection. A low recurrence rate was achieved by the prophylaxis protocol in use at our center. There is no standard protocol for prevention of HBV and HDV recurrence; therefore, we need new studies.