title: The meaning of tissue and serum HCV RNA quantitation in hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation: a retrospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the role of serum HCV RNA quantitation in hepatitis C virus recurrence after liver transplantation is well established, the meaning of HCV RNA tissue quantitation is largely unclear, and no correlations with recipient outcome have been investigated yet.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the predictive value, and a possible prognostic role, of tissue and serum HCV RNA in first post-transplant biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the first post-transplant biopsies of 83 recipients. Tissue and serum HCV RNA was quantitated by RT-PCR, and compared with serum, clinical and histological data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HCV RNA quantitation allowed us to categorise recipients into three different risk groups: (1) tissue HCV RNA ≤ 1.5 IU/ng with any serum HCV RNA; (2) tissue HCV RNA>1.5 IU/ng and serum HCV RNA < 40 × 10(6)copies/mL; (3) tissue HCV RNA>1.5 IU/ng and serum HCV RNA ≥ 40 × 10(6)copies/mL. Hepatitis C virus recurrence rates in the three groups were 68%, 91% and 100% (P=0.004); hepatitis C virus-related mortality was 0%, 14% and 45% respectively (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This preliminary study on serum and tissue HCV RNA quantitation allows recipient "stratification" in prognostic groups, which could be applicable in the future for timely antiviral treatment and/or immunosuppression modulation.
authors: Pathology Unit, F. Addarii Institute of Oncology and Transplantation Pathology, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Vasuri
authors: Maria Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Morelli
authors: Elisa
authors: E
authors: Gruppioni
authors: Michelangelo
authors: M
authors: Fiorentino
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Ercolani
authors: Matteo
authors: M
authors: Cescon
authors: Antonio Daniele
authors: AD
authors: Pinna
authors: Walter Franco
authors: WF
authors: Grigioni
authors: Antonia
authors: A
authors: D'Errico-Grigioni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral