Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of virological response to long-term antiviral therapy using interferon plus ribavirin on survival of 30 liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C. Mean treatment duration is currently 46 months (range: 3-144 months). Sustained clearance of serum hepatitis C virus RNA was achieved in 18 patients (60%). Allograft biopsies demonstrated fibrosis progression in seven virological nonresponders (66.6%), and none of the recipients with viral elimination (0%; P<0.001). Univariately, low pretransplant viral loads, the absence of cytomegalovirus infection, as well as biochemical and virological response to antiviral therapy indicated a positive impact on outcome (P<0.05). Only antiviral treatment induced clearance of viremia, however, was identified as independent predictor of long-term survival (P=0.02). Our data indicate that an antiviral combination should aim at viral eradication in liver transplant patients with recurrent hepatitis C, because it improves survival.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 469-473 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Transplantation |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 15 Aug 2008 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Fibrosis
- Liver transplantation
- Recurrent hepatitis C
- Sustained virological response