Outcome of hepatitis B and C virus infection on graft function after renal transplantation.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Chronic liver disease resulting from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections is still a major concern in kidney recipients. It is unclear whether HCV antibody status and markers of HBV infection are associated with renal dysfunction. Thus, we designed a study to investigate the incidence of HBV and HCV infection after renal transplantation and whether these infections alter graft function.

METHODS:

Fifty-eight patients who underwent renal transplantation participated in the study. Serum creatinine and aminotransferase levels were measured with standard automated analyzers. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected with an enzyme immunoassay, and a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was used to test for HCV-RNA. Serological markers for HBV (HBsAg and anti-HBc antibody) were detected by enzyme immunoassay. All samples from patients who were seropositive for HBsAg or anti-HBc antibody were PCR-tested for HBV-DNA. A serum sample collected from living donors was tested for anti-HCV antibodies and serological markers for HBV. Serum creatinine and aminotransferase levels were also measured in living donors.

RESULTS:

Anti-HCV was not detected in serum samples of any cases before transplantation. However, 10 (17.2%) tested positive after transplantation. HCV-RNA was detected in 2 of the 10 patients (3.4% of all patients). None of the pretransplantation serum samples tested positive for HBsAg. However, anti-HBc antibody was identified in 8 (13.8%) of the 58 patients.. No HBV DNA was detected in serum samples of the patients with anti-HBc or HBsAg-positive. HBsAg was only detected in 1 (1.7%) recipient after transplantation. None of the 58 patients showed clinical signs or symptoms of renal dysfunction during the study period.

CONCLUSION:

Our data suggest that, neither HBV nor HCV infection appears to cause or contribute to renal dysfunction in the early period (1 year) after renal transplantation. Nevertheless, a long-term consequence of chronic HBV or HCV liver disease or graft loss is not impossible in renal transplant recipients.

• Authors: A Behzad-Behbahani, A Mojiri, S Z Tabei, A Farhadi-Andarabi, R Pouransari, R Yaghobi, M Rahsaz, M Banihashemi, S A Malek-Hosseini, A Javid, A Bahador, A Reisjalali, S Behzadi, M Salehipour, A Salahl, R Davari, P Janghorban, A Torb, A R Salah
• Journal: Transplantation proceedings (Transplant Proc) Vol. 37 Issue 7 Pg. 3045-7 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0041-1345 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16213299 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• DNA, Viral
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
• Hepatitis C Antibodies

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• DNA, Viral (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Female
• Hepacivirus (immunology, isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis B (epidemiology)
• Hepatitis B Surface Antigens (blood)
• Hepatitis B virus (genetics, isolation & purification)
• Hepatitis C (epidemiology)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies (blood)
• Humans
• Kidney Function Tests
• Kidney Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (virology)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Viral Load