title: Advances in prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the 1990s, liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV) related-liver diseases was a very controversial issue because the graft was inevitably recurrent after liver transplantation. Significant progress has been made in the prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation. This review covers the mechanisms, prophylaxis, and treatment of hepatitis B recurrent after liver transplantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Searching MEDLINE (1995-2004) for articles on liver transplantation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HBV reinfection after liver transplantation results from HBV particles in circulation or other extrahepatic sites. Hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) was effective in reducing HBV reinfection and improving graft survival after liver transplantation. Lamivudine has also dramatically reduced the recurrence of HBV in the patient undergoing liver transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination HBIG and lamivudine is the most effective porphylatic regimen. Lamivudine and adefovir are highly effective in treatment of HBV recurrence. HBV-related liver disease is no longer a contraindication for liver transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Oriental Organ Transplantation Center, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300191, China. wangzf15213@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Zi-Fa
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhi-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Zhong-Yang
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Shen
mesh_terms: D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019259:Lamivudine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019259:Lamivudine