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HCV and Liver Transplantation

  • Hepatitis C (H Vargas and S Flamm, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Hepatology Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of the Review

This review presents the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of HCV in those with cirrhosis, with a particular focus on unique challenges surrounding liver transplantation in the post-DAA era.

Recent Findings

Rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been rising over the past several years, largely attributable to the opioid epidemic in the USA. Fortunately, despite this increase, the advent of direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAA) for the treatment of HCV has led to dramatic improvements in the quality of life and lifespan in persons living with the disease.

Summary

In the post-DAA era, treatment of HCV for certain individuals can prevent the need for liver transplantation. For others, therapy has increased access to transplantation with previously discarded HCV + organs. Lastly, efficacious treatment has even allowed for the transplantation of HCV + organs into negative recipients. Future research will be aimed at HCV eradication.

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Abbreviations

HCV:

Hepatitis C virus

DAA:

Direct-acting antiviral

NAT:

Nucleic acid testing

MELF:

Model for end-stage liver disease

LT:

Liver transplant

SVR:

Sustained virologic response

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  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, New York Presbyterian, 1305 York Avenue, 4th floor, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Alyson Kaplan & Robert S. Brown Jr

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  1. Alyson Kaplan
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Correspondence to Alyson Kaplan.

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Alyson Kaplan declares no conflict of interest. Robert S Brown reports grants and personal fees from Gilead and grants and personal fees from Abbvie during the conduct of the study.

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Kaplan, A., Brown, R.S. HCV and Liver Transplantation. Curr Hepatology Rep 20, 191–197 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11901-021-00580-y

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