title: The detection of (total and ccc) HBV DNA in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B vaccine against HBV reinfection.
abstract: To investigate the levels of hepatitis B virus total DNA (HBV DNA) and covalently closed circular (ccc) DNA in liver transplant recipients who received hepatitis B vaccination, including responders and non-responders, following liver transplantation due to hepatitis B-related diseases and to investigate the efficacy of hepatitis B immune reconstitution against HBV reinfection. Twenty responders and 34 non-responders were enrolled in the present study. The levels of HBV total DNA and ccc DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the liver and plasma were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Fifty-three blood samples and 38 liver allograft tissues were acquired. For the responders, the mean serum titer for anti-HBs (antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen) was 289 (46.64-1000) IU/ml. Also for the responders, HBV total DNA was detected in PBMCs for one recipient and in the liver for another recipient, but ccc DNA was not detected in either of those 2 recipients. For the non-responders, HBV total DNA was detected in PBMCS for 2 recipients, neither of whom had ccc DNA. Also for the non-responders, HBV total DNA was detected in the livers of 3 recipients, 2 of whom also had ccc DNA. All responders had discontinued hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), and 13 responders had discontinued antiviral agents. One responder experienced HBV recurrence during the follow-up period. For the majority of liver transplant recipients, no HBV total DNA or ccc DNA was detected in the blood or liver. The lack of HBV total DNA and ccc DNA both in PBMCs and the liver in liver transplant recipients who received hepatitis B vaccination to prevent HBV reinfection should be a prerequisite for the withdrawal of HBIG and/or antiviral agents.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Program ; Beijing You-An Hospital; Capital Medical University ; Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Bin-Wei
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: b Institute & Hospital of Hepatobiliary Surgery; Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA; Chinese PLA Medical School; Chinese PLA General Hospital ; Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Shi-Chun
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: c Department of General Surgery ; Chengdu First People's Hospital ; Sichuan , China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: d Department of Microbiology and Infectious Disease Center ; School of Basic Medical Sciences; Peking University Health Science Center ; Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Xue-En
authors.initials: XE
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation Program ; Beijing You-An Hospital; Capital Medical University ; Beijing , China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000821:virology; D008099:Liver / Q000821:virology*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010949:Plasma / Q000821:virology; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence; D066027:Transplant Recipients
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D007136:Immunoglobulins; C045213:hepatitis B hyperimmune globulin
keywords: HBV DNA; HBV reinfection; ccc DNA; hepatitis B; liver transplantation; vaccination