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Update on management of hepatitis B before and after liver transplantation

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Abstract

Two decades ago, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was a contraindication to liver transplantation because of graft HBV reinfection rates as high as 80%. With advances in antiviral therapy, the rate of HBV reinfection after liver transplantation has declined to less than 10%. The 5-year survival rate after transplantation increased from 53% before 1990 to 76% by 2002. Moreover, the arrival of newer antiviral therapy has expanded the treatment armamentarium before and after transplantation. With extended survival, new challenges have emerged, such as the development of antiviral resistance and the uncertain duration of hepatitis B immunoglobulin after transplantation.

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  1. Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Pfleger Liver Institute, UCLA Medical Center, University of California at Los Angeles, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 214, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Sammy Saab

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  1. Bijal Surti
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  2. Amanda C. Chi
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Correspondence to Sammy Saab.

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Surti, B., Chi, A.C. & Saab, S. Update on management of hepatitis B before and after liver transplantation. Curr hepatitis rep 7, 25–32 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-008-0018-y

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