Long-term prevention of recurrent hepatitis B virus after liver transplantation.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection is a major threat to HBV-infected patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Eleven HBsAg-positive patients with end-stage liver disease underwent liver transplantation. All were treated with high doses of anti-HBs antibodies, initiated first during the anhepatic stage of the operation and continued every 2-8 weeks thereafter according to anti-HBs levels in the serum. Attempts were made to keep anti-HBs levels above 400 IU/ml. Patients were followed for 8-42 months and only one of them had any evidence for recurrence of HBV infection 40 months post-transplantation. We conclude that continuous administration of anti-HBs and maintenance of high levels of anti-HBs in the serum prevent recurrence of HBV infection.
Ilan
Y
Y
Liver Unit, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Eid
A
A
Tur-Kaspa
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence
D000888:Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens