Recurrence and accelerated progression of hepatitis C following liver transplantation

Semin Liver Dis. 2000;20(4):533-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2000-13152.

Abstract

The patient described had recurrent hepatitis C following OLT. This hepatitis appeared early postOLT and progressed to fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, a severe form of HCV recurrence. Factors such as genotype 1, high viral load and severe damage on the first postOLT biopsy may indicate a more severe outcome. We have hypothesized that, in parallel to what is known for hepatitis B, this rare form of recurrence was linked to a high expression of virus C proteins in the liver graft. Severe form of hepatitis C recurrence should be treated early with the best currently available treatment which is a combination of IFN and ribavirin. Large series of patients with comparable virological, histological and immunological inclusions criteria are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Bilirubin / blood
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Graft Rejection
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / etiology
  • Hypertension / etiology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Recurrence
  • Transaminases / blood
  • Viral Load

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • DNA, Viral
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Transaminases
  • Bilirubin