Impact of human leukocyte antigen matching on hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective therapy for end-stage hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Recurrence of HBV is one of the frequent complications. In the present study, we investigated whether human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matching influences the incidence of HBV recurrence, and the time point of HBV recurrence after LT.


METHODS
One hundred and two recipients of LT with end-stage chronic HBV infection were reviewed. The triple-drug immunosuppression regimen consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate, and prednisone. All patients were subjected to prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin and lamivudine. HLA typing was performed using a sequence-specific primer-polymerase chain reaction kit. Serology for hepatitis B and HBV DNA was examined using a commercial kit.


RESULTS
The incidence of recurrent HBV infection post-LT was 6.86%. The recurrent infection of HBV was independent of the degree of HLA matching (P>0.05). The time point of HBV recurrence, however, was prolonged in HLA-A matched patients compared with matchless patients (P=0.049). The recurrence of HBV infection was independent of HLA compatibility.


CONCLUSIONS
This retrospective analysis showed that more HLA-A locus compatibility is associated with a prolonged time of recurrence of HBV in patients after LT for end-stage HBV infection. The incidence of HBV recurrence is independent of HLA compatibility.
Zhao
Hong
H
State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.
Hu
Jian-Hua
JH
Zhou
Lin
L
Xu
Xiao
X
Wu
Jian
J
Meng
Xue-Qin
XQ
Fan
Jun
J
Ma
Wei-Hang
WH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000209:etiology*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004279:DNA, Viral