European collaborative study on factors influencing outcome after liver transplantation for hepatitis C

Disease recurrence after liver transplantation: Need we worry?

“…12,13 Although these short-term survival rates for patients transplanted for hepatitis C are comparable with those achieved in other patient groups, up to 10% of these patients have developed cirrhosis within their graft during this period. 12 Good outcome data beyond the 5-year period is currently lacking but it appears that 7-and 10-year survival data may be less satisfactory. Additionally, there is disturbing evidence that the prevalence of aggressive fibrosis following transplantation for hepatitis C may have actually increased in patients transplanted over more recent years.…”

Hepatitis C treatment before and after liver transplant

“…Although most of the studies conducted in the United States failed to show this association, a large collaborative European study showed a higher rate of progression and severity in transplant patients infected with HCV genotype 1b. One hypothesis is that, in the liver transplant context, the host immune response to HCV is stronger for the 1b genotype than for other genotypes, and that the tissue lesion is associated with this response [17].…”

Erratum to: Cholestatic Hepatitis C in Immunocompromised Settings

“…Cirrhosis caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading indication for liver transplantation among adults in the United States and Europe [1]. Recurrent HCV after liver transplantation is nearly universal and has serious consequences, including cirrhosis, graft failure, and death.…”

“…Recurrent HCV after liver transplantation is nearly universal and has serious consequences, including cirrhosis, graft failure, and death. The rate of progression of recurrent HCV after liver transplantation toward cirrhosis and liver failure is accelerated as compared with immunocompetent individuals [1][2][3]. In some cases, a progressive cholestatic form of recurrent HCV occurs, often leading to rapid graft dysfunction as early as 5 months after liver transplantation [4].…”