[The prophylaxis and treatment of c virus liver disease in the liver transplantation setting. Narrative review].
OBJECTIVE
To review the use of antiviral therapy as prophylaxis or treatment of virus C liver disease in the liver transplantation setting.


METHODS
A search was made of the literature in PubMed with the strategy liver transplantation AND hepatitis C AND (interferon OR peginterferon OR ribavirin) from 1966 to June 2007 and a manual search of the journals Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Journal of Hepatology and Hepatology between 2001 and June 2007, to identify publications and communications to congresses relating to the subject. The studies identified were selected and evaluated.


RESULTS
A total of 48 articles were chosen for review. Hepatitis C virus is one of the main indications for liver transplantation. Post-transplant re-infection is immediate and almost universal, and results, in many cases, in a recurrent liver disease that reduces the patients survival. Four basic therapeutic strategies have been studied: pre-transplant anti-viral treatment, prophylaxis, early or preventative treatment and treatment of acute or chronic recurrent hepatitis C.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, the hepatitis C treatment in the liver transplantation setting is based on the use of peginterferon associated with ribavirin as pre-transplant treatment in selected patients or as treatment of recurrent post-transplant hepatitis C, achieving sustained virological responses of around 20% and 35% respectively. The main limitation of these treatments is the high frequency of the adverse effects and interruptions to treatment, meaning it is important to carry out strict follow-up of the treatment safety.
Margusino Framiñán
L
L
Servicio de Farmacia, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo, La Coruña, España. lmarfra@canalejo.org
Suárez López
F
F
Martín Herranz
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I
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018890:Chemoprevention; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000998:Antiviral Agents