title: Progression of hepatitis C infection in a renal transplant recipient: a case report.
abstract: We present a patient with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who developed chronic active hepatitis (CAH) after renal transplantation. Alpha-interferon (a-IF) therapy was administered in view of deteriorating liver biochemistry. Liver histology at this stage showed features suggestive of chronic active hepatitis (CAH). The patient had stable graft function. Therapy with a-IF resulted in noticeable biochemical response within two weeks of commencement. An episode of steroid resistant renal allograft rejection occurred after 10 weeks of a-IF therapy which responded well to anti-lymphocyte globulin. Since then, the CAH has gradually progressed on to the development of cirrhotic changes and hepato-cellular carcinoma after 10 years following transplantation. Our case indicates that liver disease in anti-HCV positive patients can follow a serious course following renal transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Abdalla
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Mousa
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Rassoul
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al Hawas
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Al Sulaiman
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Khader