liver transplantation in chronic hepatitis B infection
Last reviewed 01/2018
One year survival is less than 50% compared to figures above 90% in patients with cholestatic or alcoholic liver disease.
Active pre-transplant viral replication - HBeAg +ve or HBV DNA +ve - is associated with a poorer prognosis.
Post-transplant reinfection occurs in nearly all cases. The likelihood is greatest in patients who were HBV DNA +ve at the time of transplantation.
High dose immunoglobulin perioperatively and postoperatively is the most effective way of delaying and preventing HBV recurrence.