title: One year of hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus tenofovir therapy is safe and effective in preventing recurrent hepatitis B post-liver transplantation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) given in combination with a nucleos(t)ide analogue has reduced the rate of recurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection following liver transplantation (LT); however, the most effective protocol remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in combination with one year of low-dose HBIG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four adults who underwent LT for HBV-related liver disease at the University Health Network (Toronto, Ontario) and received TDF (± lamivudine) and one year of HBIG to prevent recurrent HBV infection from June 2005 to June 2011 were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median length of follow-up post-LT was 29.1 months. Three patients died during the follow-up period. Patient survival was 100% and 84.1% at one and five years, respectively. None of the patients developed recurrent HBV infection. No significant adverse event was observed due to TDF administration; renal function pre- and post-LT were also acceptably preserved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated that a short, finite course of low-dose HBIG combined with maintenance of long-term TDF staring before LT is cost-effective and safe. However, further prospective study involving a larger patient cohort with a longer follow-up period is required to confirm the results.
authors.forename: Tomohiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Eberhard L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Renner
authors.forename: Nazia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Selzner
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Therapondos
authors.forename: Leslie B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Lilly
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D000068698:Tenofovir; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D063065:Organophosphonates; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000225:Adenine; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin