title: Liver transplantation from anti-hepatitis C virus-positive donors: our experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C (HCV) is among the most common causes of end-stage liver disease worldwide. The donor shortage leads us to consider alternative organ sources such as HCV-positive donors. The outcomes of these transplants must be evaluated thoroughly since there is universal recurrence of disease among HCV-positive liver transplant recipients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2005 to April 2011, we performed 143 liver transplants (OLT) to treat end-stage liver disease secondary to HCV infection. Thirteen patients (9,1%) received livers from HCV-positive donors. A control group consisted of 130 HCV-positive patients who underwent OLT during the same period with organs from HCV-negative donors. Donor HCV status was assessed by 2 tests: HCV antibodies and viral load. Not only recipient and graft survivals were analyzed, but also frequency, timing and severity of hepatitis recurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 143 transplants performed in HCV-positive recipients during a 6-year period from January 1, 2005, to April 30, 2011, 9.1% of patients received an organ from an anti-HCV-positive donor, 72.7% of whom showed a negative viral load. The vast majority (80%) of our patients suffered hepatitis during their follow-up, 22.4% of which were severe cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No significant difference in patient or graft survival was observed between the 2 groups. A high percentage of grafts with initial positive serology for HCV showed no viral replication. Grafts from HCV-positive donors can be considered to be a safe, effective source for liver donation.
authors: Department of General and Digestive Surgery, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. eac.lomba@gmail.com
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Álvaro
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Abradelo
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Fuertes
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Manrique
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Colina
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Alegre
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Calvo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: García
authors: A
authors: A
authors: García-Sesma
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Cambra
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Sanabria
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Moreno
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Jimenez
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D046148:Donor Selection; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load; D014779:Virus Replication
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral