Short communicationHBV reactivation after kidney transplantation☆
Introduction
In transplant recipients, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality by cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Immunosuppression increases the risk of HBV reactivation, defined as reappearance of the ‘e’ antigen (HBeAg) in the serum of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients. In bone marrow transplant recipients and patients undergoing chemotherapy with previously resolved HBV infection, reappearance of HBsAg and loss of anti-HBsAg were described in several case reports (Lok et al., 1991, Martin et al., 1995; Knöll et al., 2004). In solid organ recipients, however, reactivation seems to be a rather rare event and is not well described in the literature. Here, we report the occurrence of HBV reactivation in two kidney transplant recipients.
Section snippets
Case report
In this study, we reviewed virologic laboratory records of kidney recipients. Out 1512 patients, 228 had been diagnosed with resolved HBV infection (anti-HBc positive, HBsAg negative) but normal liver enzyme levels prior to kidney transplantation. Reappearance of HBsAg after kidney transplantation was observed in two (0.9%) of those patients.
The first patient was a 75-year old man who was dialysed from 1985 onwards because of polycystic kidneys. In 1988, he received a kidney from a donor who
Discussion
We describe two transplant patients with serological evidence of resolved HBV infection in whom HBsAg reappeared after transplantation. Reappearance of replicating HBV in patients with resolved infection may be caused by re-infection, especially in the setting of hemodialysis. In this study, we were not able to compare the sequences of the HBV strains responsible for the initial infection to those ones appearing after transplantation. It, however, may be most likely a result of viral
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Cited by (67)
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2019, Clinics in Liver DiseaseHepatitis B virus reactivation after heart transplant: Incidence and clinical impact
2017, Journal of Clinical VirologyConsiderable decrease in antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen following kidney transplantation
2015, Journal of Clinical VirologyCitation Excerpt :Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections still represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) [1]. In addition to recipients with chronic HBV infection at the time of transplantation, other patients with past resolved HBV infection can experience HBV reactivation, mostly when they are devoid of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen antibodies (anti-HBsAb) [2–6]. Moreover, KTRs who are not immunized against HBV are at risk for de novo HBV infection through potential risks including graft, blood products transfusion and hemodialysis.
Reactivation of Hepatitis B virus in kidney transplant recipients with previous clinically resolved infection: A single-center experience
2018, NefrologiaCitation Excerpt :This highlights the importance of assessing potential risk factors for reactivation since prophylaxis can prevent its occurrence. Only 4 retrospective studies addressed the risk of reactivation in HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive KTR.7–9,13 The number of patients was small and reactivation rates varied from 0 to 6.5%.
Etiologies Associated With Elevated Liver Enzymes After Renal Transplant
2024, Experimental and Clinical Transplantation
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Presented in part at the fifth international symposium on molecular diagnostics in Laboratory Medicine, Graz, Austria, June 10–12, 2004.