title: Outcomes of liver transplantation in HIV-infected individuals: the impact of HCV and HBV infection.
abstract: Liver transplantation (LT) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive individuals is considered to be an experimental therapy with limited reported worldwide experience, and little long-term survival data. Published data suggest that the short-term outcome is encouraging in selected patients. Here, we report our experience in 14 HIV-infected liver allograft recipients, and compare outcomes between those coinfected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the non-HCV group. A total of 14 HIV-infected patients (12 male, 2 female, age range 26-59 years) underwent LT between January 1995 and April 2003. Indications for LT were HCV (n = 7), hepatitis B virus (HBV; n = 4), alcohol-induced liver disease (n = 2), and seronegative hepatitis (n = 1); 3 patients presented with acute liver failure. At LT, CD4 cell counts (T-helper cells that are targets for HIV) ranged from 124 to 500 cells/microL (mean 264), and HIV viral loads from <50 to 197,000 copies/mL. Nine of 12 patients were exposed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) before LT. In the non-HCV group (n = 7), all patients are alive, all surviving more than 365 days (range 668-2,661 days). No patient has experienced HBV recurrence, and graft function is normal in all 7 patients. However, 5 of 7 HCV-infected patients died after LT at 95-784 days (median 161 days). A total of 4 patients died of complications due to recurrent HCV infection and sepsis, despite antiviral therapy in 3 of them. A total of 3 patients experienced complications relating to HAART therapy. In conclusion, outcome of LT in HIV-infected patients with HBV or other causes of chronic liver disease indicates that LT is an acceptable therapeutic option in selected patients. However, longer follow-up in larger series is required before a conclusive directive can be provided for HCV / HIV coinfected patients requiring LT.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Liver Studies, King's College Hospital, London, UK. snorris@stjames.ie
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Norris
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muiesan
authors.forename: Bernard C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Portmann
authors.forename: Alex S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Knisely
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bowles
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rela
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Heaton
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: O'Grady
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000601:surgery; D017114:Liver Failure, Acute / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome