title: Histological recurrence and progression of hepatitis C after orthotopic liver transplantation: influence of immunosuppressive regimens.
abstract: Post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) recurrence of hepatitis C is virtually universal, but histological progression of disease is not. This study examines long-term clinical and liver histological features at and after OLT to elucidate factors predictive of hepatitis C recurrence and progression after OLT. A blinded retrospective review of clinical, serological, and histopathologic features of 65 patients who underwent OLT for hepatitis C and Non A Non B hepatitis was conducted. Histological findings of recurrent hepatitis C and progression (fibrosis, >or= grade 2 by last follow-up) were correlated with clinical parameters. Histological recurrence of hepatitis C was seen in 43 of 65 patients, with progression in 19 patients. Histological findings in the native liver and post-OLT biopsy specimen at the time of recurrence showed no correlation with hepatitis C recurrence and progression. Patients treated with azathioprine (AZA)-containing immunosuppressive regimens experienced less recurrence (6 of 17 v 37 of 48 patients; P < .005) and progression (1 of 17 v 18 of 48 patients; P = .014) than those without AZA as part of their immunosuppressive regimen. No difference was seen between patients treated with cyclosporine versus those administered FK506 (P > .05). Histological recurrence of hepatitis C after OLT is seen in 66% of patients with progressive disease and 29% of all patients. The grade of inflammation in the native liver at the time of OLT and time of recurrence is not predictive of progression. AZA-containing regimens reduce histological recurrence and progression of hepatitis C in post-OLT patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: F D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pomfret
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pomposelli
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Khettry
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D001379:Azathioprine