Hepatitis B and C in Kidney Transplantation

Abstract

The prevalence of chronic hepatitis " and C virus infection has declined among the dialysis population during the past decades. However, it still comprises a major health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Renal transplantation is the optimal treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease and hepatitis " or C, although it is associated to lower patient and allograft survival compared to seronegative kidney recipients. Novel therapeutic strategies with the use of new antiviral agents, especially direct-acting antiviral agents in hepatitis C, have signiicantly changed the natural history of both hepatitis " and C not only in the general population but also in renaltransplant recipients. We believe that future research should focus on the impact of new antiviral medications in this speciic subset of patients.

Immune Complex Small-Vessel Vasculitis with Kidney Involvement

“…The introduction of direct acting antiviral agents (DAAs) has radically changed the treatment of patients with HCV infection. These drugs target nonstructural (NS) viral proteins and inhibit HCV replication[73]. Although the efficacy of DAAs in HCV-associated cryoglobulinemic vasculitis has not been confirmed, they are more potent regimens with a better safety profile and a shorter duration of therapy.…”