Clinical recurrence of hepatitis A following liver transplantation for acute liver failure

J Med Virol. 1995 Jan;45(1):35-9. doi: 10.1002/jmv.1890450107.

Abstract

This paper documents clinically significant recurrence of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection in a 63-year-old man transplanted for HAV-related acute liver failure. HAV RNA was documented in the explant and, following early clearance from the blood and graft, was again detected in post-operative biopsies at the time of an acute hepatic illness. Although the clinical and biochemical abnormalities resolved completely, the patient had a second episode of graft dysfunction 6 months later and investigations revealed hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related chronic active hepatitis consistent with acquired HCV infection at the time of transplantation. The possible interaction with hepatitis A may have delayed the appearance of hepatitis C. Administration of HAV immunoglobulin at the time of transplantation should be considered in all cases of HAV-related fulminant hepatic failure.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Base Sequence
  • Biopsy
  • Graft Rejection
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / surgery
  • Hepatitis A / pathology
  • Hepatitis A / surgery
  • Hepatitis A / virology*
  • Hepatitis C / pathology
  • Hepatitis, Chronic / pathology
  • Hepatovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver / virology*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery*
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • RNA, Viral / analysis
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • RNA, Viral