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Prophylaxis and treatment of hepatitis B virus reinfection following liver transplantation |
Shu Sen Zheng, Jian Wu, Ting Bo Liang, Wei Lin Wang, Dong Sheng Huang and Xiao Xu |
From the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China (Zheng SS, Wu J, Liang TB, Wang WL, Huang DS and Xu X)
Correspondence: Shu Sen Zheng, MD, PhD (Tel: 86-571-87236601; Fax: 86-571-87236609; Email: eofwu jian@263.net). |
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Abstract Objectives: To prevent and early diagnose hepatitis B virus reinfection and recurrent hepatitis B following liver transplantation, and to discuss the further treatment of recurrent hepatitis B.
Methods: Liver transplantation recipients received lamivudine for prophylaxis of HBV reinfection. Virological and biochemical data, serum HBV DNA, and immunohistological staining for HBsAg and HBcAg in liver biopsy specimens were tested in due time.
Results: Five patients with hepatitis B virus reinfection and two patients with hepatitis B recurrence were observed after liver transplantation. One patient with recurrent hepatitis B developed chronic severe hepatitis B despite treatment. One patient improved after a series of treatment.
Conclusions: Hepatitis B virus reinfection or recurrent hepatitis B following liver transplantation occurs mostly 6-12 months after operation. The diagnosis of hepatitis B recurrence should be taken into account when liver biochemical data becomes poor during this period. The treatment for recurrent hepatitis B after liver transplantation includes increased dosage of lamivudine, application of famciclovir, and other liver protection measures.
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