Dual Antibody Treatment for Simultaneous Acute Cellular Rejection and Antibody-Mediated Rejection After Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Abstract

Antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) after liver transplantation is uncommon but sometimes has a grave prognosis. We herein describe a 40-year-old man who developed simultaneous acute cellular rejection and acute AMR due to de novo donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies after living donor liver transplantation. He underwent living donor liver transplantation with his brother-in-law as the donor. Hepatic function deteriorated on postoperative day 6, and a liver biopsy revealed histologic findings of typical acute cellular rejection. However, steroid pulse therapy and thymoglobulin did not produce a clinical response, and his liver function dramatically deteriorated on postoperative day 13 (aspartate aminotransferase, 2787 IU/L; total bilirubin, 14.1 mg/dL). We diagnosed acute AMR based on positive immunohistochemical staining for C4d in portal areas and added plasma exchange and high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin after rituximab. The patient's clinical state improved and ultimately resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first report of dual antibody treatment for simultaneous acute cellular rejection and acute AMR induced by de novo donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies. Despite his fulminant clinical course, we successfully rescued the recipient with immediate anti-humoral therapy. The rapid treatment decision and adequate understanding of the mechanisms of anti-humoral therapy were crucial to overcoming acute AMR in this case.