Summary
Hepatitis B- and C-related liver cirrhosis is the most common indication for liver transplantation. However, owing to the high frequency of recurrence of hepatitis, the morbidity and mortality of recipients with hepatitis B or C are high when compared with other indications such as alcoholic cirrhosis or Budd-Chiari syndrome. The spontaneous risk of viral recurrence in patients with hepatitis B has been effectively reduced by the use of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and lamivudine. In contrast to this, hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence is almost universal, although long-term survival is not low compared with other indications. Prophylactic or therapeutic regimens that alter the course of disease in HCV-positive patients do not exist, and with longer follow-up times the prevalence of HCV-related graft failure is likely to increase. New immunosuppressive regimens and antiviral treatments combining ribavarin and interferon a have to be investigated to reduce further the complications of HCV recurrence in the future.
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Neumann, U.P., Seehofer, D., Langrehr, J.M., Neuhaus, P. (2002). Strategies for the Treatment of Hepatitis B and C After Liver Transplantation. In: Kitajima, M., Shimazu, M., Wakabayashi, G., Hoshino, K., Tanabe, M., Kawachi, S. (eds) Current Issues in Liver and Small Bowel Transplantation. Keio University International Symposia for Life Sciences and Medicine, vol 9. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-67889-2_9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-67889-2_9
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