title: Panel reactive antibodies in predicting hepatitis C virus treatment outcome in kidney transplant candidates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Chronic hepatitis C virus infection compromises hemodialysis patients and increases liver-related mortality. Interferon treatment is associated with improved sustained virological response rates and increased risk of graft loss after kidney transplant. This may be related to the development of antihuman leukocyte antigen antibodies, which may be a surrogate marker of potent immune response. We evaluated panel reactive antibody 1 and 2 levels for prediction of sustained viral response in patients with kidney transplant.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed data from hepatitis C virusinfected hemodialysis patients who received interferon treatment before kidney transplant. Panel reactive antibody > 20% was considered positive. Sustained viral response rates for interferon treatment were obtained and compared with panel reactive antibody 1 and 2 values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 40 patients (16 female and 24 male patients; mean age, 41.5 y; range, 18-65 y). Sustained viral response rate was 18/40 (45%). Panel reactive antibody 1 was negative in 31 patients and positive in 9 patients. Sustained viral response ratio was not correlated with panel reactive antibody 1 positivity. Panel reactive antibody 2 was negative in 31 patients (sustained viral response: present, 11 patients; absent, 20 patients) and positive in 9 patients (sustained viral response: present, 7 patients; absent, 2 patients). Sustained viral response ratio was significantly correlated with panel reactive antibody 2 positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We showed a correlation between panel reactive antibody 2 positivity and sustained viral response rates that may be a predictive tool for hepatitis C virus treatment response. In patients with other complications that compromise hepatitis C virus treatment, panel reactive antibody 2 may be a surrogate marker for sustained viral response prediction. The induction of cellular immunity may cause clearance of hepatitis C virus infection and formation of high panel reactive antibody 2 levels.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Başkent University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serkan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Öcal
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Harmancı
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ensaroğlu
authors.forename: Turan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Çolak
authors.forename: Haldun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Selçuk
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moray
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haberal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D006648:Histocompatibility / Q000187:drug effects*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D006680:HLA Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007372:Interferons