Low prevalence of HBV DNA in the liver allograft from anti-HBc-positive donors: a single-center experience

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Clin Transplant. 2011 Jan-Feb;25(1):164-70. doi:

10.1111/j.1399-0012.2010.01211.x.

Low prevalence of HBV DNA in the liver allograft from anti-HBc-positive donors:

a single-center experience.

Pan JJ, Oh SH, Soldevila-Pico C, DR, Liu C.

Source

Section of Hepatobiliary Diseases, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and

Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, FL, USA.

jjpan@...

Abstract

Allografts from donors positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen

(anti-HBc(+)) can transmit hepatitis B virus (HBV) to the recipients. We aimed

to study the prevalence of HBV DNA in liver allografts from anti-HBc(+) donors.

Between January 2003 and December 2008, this retrospective study identified 18

patients who received a liver from an anti-HBc(+) donor. Pre- and

post-transplantation HBV serology and serum HBV DNA level of the study subjects

were reviewed. DNA extracted from liver biopsy tissue was used for PCR assay.

Immunohistochemistry was also performed to determine viral protein expression.

We observed a low prevalence of HBV DNA in allografts from anti-HBc(+) donors

even among patients who did not receive prophylaxis. Only one of 18 patients had

detectable HBV DNA in the liver allograft. This recipient was seronegative for

HBV before transplantation and did not receive prophylaxis after

transplantation, and developed de novo hepatitis B. Of the five patients who

were positive for both antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HBc

before transplantation and did not receive prophylaxis after transplantation,

none developed HBV infection. Prophylaxis for HBV is important for seronegative

recipients receiving a liver from an anti-HBc(+) donor. Such prophylaxis may not

be necessary for recipients who do not have detectable HBV DNA in the liver

allograft.

© 2010 Wiley & Sons A/S.

PMID: 20156222 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]