Resolution of recurrent hepatitis B in two liver transplant recipients treated with famciclovir.
Recurrent hepatitis B infection after orthotopic liver transplantation remains problematic despite prophylaxis with hepatitis B immune globulin (anti-HBs IgG). Recently, famciclovir (an oral nucleoside analog) has been shown to have potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B in vitro as well as in patients with chronic hepatitis B. We present two patients who developed recurrent hepatitis B after orthotopic liver transplantation and were treated with famciclovir, 500 mg t.i.d. Both patients subsequently responded with marked improvement in biochemical liver tests and histology, with subsequent loss of hepatitis B surface antigen. Famciclovir is a useful agent in the treatment of hepatitis B in the liver transplant recipient.
Han
S H
SH
The UCI-UCLA Liver Transplant Program, The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, USA.
Kinkhabwala
M
M
Martin
P
P
Holt
C
C
Murray
N
N
Seu
P
P
Rudich
S
S
Hiserodt
D
D
Imagawa
D
D
Busuttil
R W
RW
D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077595:Famciclovir; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D000077595:Famciclovir