Prevention of post liver transplant HBV recurrence.
BACKGROUND
Twenty years ago, liver transplantation for hepatitis B had been a relative contraindication to universal HBV recurrence and poor outcomes. Over the ensuing two decades, there has been refinement of prevention strategies in order to minimize HBV recurrence in the allograft.


RESULTS
Currently, the most efficacious and cost-effective strategies include newer oral antiviral drugs in combination with low doses of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG). More recently, strategies have been successful in withdrawing HBIG and newer approaches of HBIG avoidance are currently under development.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, 20 years afterward, HBV recurrence is <5% and outcomes following liver transplantation are excellent.
The AW Morrow Gastroenterology and Liver Centre, The Centenary Research Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and The University of Sydney, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia. g.mccaughan@centenary.usyd.edu.au.
Geoffrey W
GW
McCaughan