Serologic profile in hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in a Brazilian liver transplant waiting list.
Chronic viral hepatitis is currently the most common indication for liver transplantation (OLT). Knowing the serological profile of patients on the liver transplant waiting list (LTWL) is essential to manage prophylactic and therapeutic strategies pre- and post-OLT. The aim of this study was to determine the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological profile on the LTWL.


METHODS
Serological data were collected from 44 candidates included on the LTWL from May 2003 to November 2004. HBV and HCV serological profiles were performed by microenzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Twenty-eight patients (66.7%) lacked HBV serological markers. Anti-HBs was detected in 9.5% and was positive for HBsAg, anti-HBc, IgM anti-HBc, or HbeAg in 4.8% of patients, probably related to reactivation of chronic infection. In 7.1% of patients, the markers demonstrated serological cure of infection. In HCV patients, 41.5% were positive. There was HBV and HCV co-infection in 12.2% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
HBV infection in 21.4% of the patients corroborates the need to use more efficient protocols for prophylactic and therapeutic management pre- and post-OLT. The high prevalence of HCV infection reinforces the need to follow adequate protocols to avoid related complications and guarantee rational and universal use of more efficient drugs.
Almeida
R A M B
RA
Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Hospital das Clínicas, Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, Distrito de Rubião Jr S/N, Botucatu, São Paulo 18603-310, Brazil. ralmeida@fmb.unesp.br
Silva
G F
GF
Llanos
J C
JC
Winckler
C C
CC
Gomes
M R B
MR
Biagioni
D S
DS
Paula
R C C
RC
Meira
D A
DA
Bakonyi
A
A
D001938:Brazil; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D012008:Recurrence; D014850:Waiting Lists
D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens