title: Kidney transplantation from hepatitis B virus core antibody-positive donors: prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis B virus core antibody (HBcAb)-positive organ donors have the potential to transmit infection to transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the use of a single dose of 2000 IU of hepatitis B immunoglobulin in 18 patients among a population of 54 kidney transplant recipients from HBcAb-positive deceased donors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve recipients were HBcAb-positive before transplantation. Among the other 42 patients, 5 (11.9%) seroconverted from HBcAb-negative to HBcAb-positive, whereas one HBcAb-positive recipient became hepatitis B virus surface antigen-positive with clinical signs of active hepatitis 6 years after transplantation. In the 18 patients who underwent prophylaxis, we did not find any seroconversion or hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission. Graft and patient survival of HBcAb-positive kidney transplants did not differ significantly with a matched population of HBcAb-negative transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that kidney transplantation from HBcAb-positive donors is safe with a low rate of HBV transmission. A prophylaxis with a single shot of hepatitis B immunoglobulin may be effective in reducing the risk of HBV seroconversion or reactivation and may be suggested in all naïve or HBcAb-positive transplant recipients.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery and Organ Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Advanced Technologies, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy. veroux@unict.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veroux
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ekser
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giaquinta
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tallarita
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Virgilio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fiamingo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Veroux
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007558:Italy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006512:Hepatitis B Core Antigens; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents