Intravenous interferon during the anhepatic phase of liver retransplantation and prevention of recurrence of cholestatic hepatitis C virus.
Cholestatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection post orthotopic liver transplantation is associated with a poor prognosis. We describe 2 patients who received interferon and ribavirin for cholestatic HCV infection with clearance of HCV RNA from the serum. Both developed signs of graft failure necessitating repeat orthotopic liver transplantation, and at surgery, interferon was administered during the anhepatic phase to prevent graft reinfection. Both patients are doing well with no evidence of recurrent viremia at 36 and 24 months of follow-up after repeat transplantation, respectively. Our results suggest that in those with cholestatic HCV infection, repeat transplantation after viral clearance is feasible and can occur without reinfection of the graft, challenging the current practice of denying retransplantation for patients with cholestatic HCV. The role of anhepatic administration of interferon deserves further examination, and this combination may provide a solution in a subset of patients with an otherwise poor prognosis.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5121, USA. pkwo@iupui.edu
Paul Y
PY
Kwo
Romil
R
Saxena
Oscar W
OW
Cummings
A Joseph
AJ
Tector
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012086:Reoperation; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013997:Time Factors
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b