Do we really need long-term hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin? What are the alternatives?
1. The outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with hepatitis are the best for any diagnosis. 2. Prevention of HBV re-infection is the key to excellent outcomes after liver transplantation. 3. The use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin to prevent HBV re-infection is effective, but costly and with side effects. 4. Effective prophylaxis against HBV re-infection can now be accomplished with combination nucleoside/nucleotide anti-virals.
Lake
John R
JR
Gastroenterology Division, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. lakex009@tc.umn.edu
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000639:trends; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin