Utilization of liver grafts from hepatitis B surface antigen positive or anti-hepatitis B core positive donors

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the influence of hepatitis B surface antigen positive or antihepatitis B core positive donors on HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B and recipients and grafts survival after liver transplantation.Methods Between June 2004 and December 2011,510 liver transplants were performed at our department while 387 patients were followed up.Among them,9 patients received hepatitis B surface antigen positive grafts,50 patients received anti-hepatitis B core positive grafts,and 328 patients received HBV marks negative grafts.The rate of HBV allograft reinfection or de novo hepatitis B and accumulative recipients as well as grafts survival were compared.Results All recipients with hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors remained hepatitis B surface antigen carriers after operation.HBV allograft re-infection occurred in one recipient of anti-hepatitis B core positive donor group. Five recipients with HBV marks negative donors appeared hepatitis B surface antigen positive,including two cases of Lamivudine resistance leading to HBV allograft reinfection and three cases of de novo hepatitis B from non-related diseases. The 1-,3-,5-year accumulative survival rate in anti-hepatitis B core positive grafts group,hepatitis B surface antigen positive grafts group and HBV marks negative grafts group was 100％,86％,43％; 87％,79％,57％; and 87％,80％,79％,respectively (Log-rank =1.287,P =0.525).And the 1-,3-,5-year accumulative grafts survival rate in these three groups was 100％,86％,43％; 85％,77％,56％;and 86％,79％,77％,respectively (Log rank=1.288,P =0.525).During the follow-up period,no graft loss or death was found to be related to the HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B.Conclusion Liver grafts from anti-hepatitis B core positive donors do not increase the risk of graft loss or recipient death due to HBV allograft re-infection or de novo hepatitis B under effective antiviral therapy.Hepatitis B surface antigen positive donors are feasible to save lives or prolong life in emergency situation. Key words: Liver transplantation; Tissue donors; Hepatitis B surface antigen; Anti hepatitis B core positive