title: Sustained, spontaneous disappearance of serum HCV-RNA under immunosuppression after liver transplantation for HCV cirrhosis.
abstract: Immunosuppression is a main determinant for the increased Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) replication after liver transplantation and the accelerated course of recurrent HCV liver disease. We present two patients both with diabetes, renal dysfunction with proteinuria converted to sirolimus therapy, who cleared serum HCV RNA without antiviral treatment. This is a potentially important observation that should stimulate study into factors that may help viral clearance from blood.
authors.affiliation: Liver Transplantation Hepatobiliary Unit, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, Hampstead, NW3 2QG London, UK.
authors.forename: Dimitrios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Samonakis
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cholongitas
authors.forename: Christos K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Triantos
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: Amar Paul
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Thalheimer
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Patch
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Burroughs
mesh_terms: D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000628:therapy* / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000150:complications; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral