A concise update on the status of liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus: the challenges in 2002

The efficiency of low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus nucleos(t)ide analogs in preventing posttransplant hepatitis B virus recurrence

Background/aim

In this study, the efficiency of using low-dose hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) plus antiviral treatment according to individual needs has been evaluated in posttransplant hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated 179 patients who were admitted between 2009 and 2014. Five thousand IU intravenous HBIG was given in the anhepatic phase, and 400 IU/day intramuscular (IM) HBIG was given in the posttransplant period. After HBsAg seroconversion, 400 IU IM HBIG was continued as prophylaxis every two weeks.

Results

The average follow-up period was 26 (2–65) months. Seventy patients had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HBV recurrence was 4.5% in the first year, and 5.8% in the third year. The HBsAg became negative in 11 (2–63) days, and anti-HBs became positive in 9 (1–31) days. HBsAg positivity occurred in 6 patients during the follow-up period. Five of these patients were those who underwent transplantation due to HCC. In 5 of the HCC patients, in whom HBsAg became positive, tumor recurrence was observed after 0.3–9.9 months. HBsAg positivity was more frequently detected in patients with HCC (P = 0.009).

Conclusion

The HBV recurrence should be evaluated as a predictor of the HCC recurrence in patients who were transplanted due to HCC.

Prophylactic managements of hepatitis B viral infection in liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) is a considerably effective treatment for patients with end-stage hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver disease. However, HBV infection often recurs after LT without prophylaxis. Since the 1990s, the treatment for preventing HBV reinfection after LT has greatly progressed with the introduction of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs), resulting in improved patient survival. The combination therapy consisting of high-dose HBIG and lamivudine is highly efficacious for preventing the recurrence of HBV infection after LT and became the standard prophylaxis for HBV recurrence. However, mainly due to the high cost of HBIG treatment, an alternative protocol for reducing the dose and duration of HBIG has been evaluated. Currently, combination therapy using low-dose HBIG and NAs is considered as the most efficacious and cost-effective prophylaxis for post-LT HBV reinfection. Recently, NA monotherapy and withdrawal of HBIG from combination therapy, along with the development of new, potent high genetic barrier NAs, have provided promising efficacy, especially for low-risk recipients. This review summarizes the prophylactic protocol and their efficacy including prophylaxis of de novo HBV infection from anti-HBc antibody-positive donors. In addition, challenging approaches such as discontinuation of all prophylaxis and active immunity through hepatitis B vaccination are discussed.

Prophylaxis of hepatitis B infection in solid organ transplant recipients

Rates of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from organ donors with HBV markers to recipients along with reactivation of HBV during immunosuppression following transplantation have fallen significantly with the advent of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) and effective antiviral therapy. Although the availability of potent antiviral agents and HBIg has highly impacted the survival rate of HBV-infected patients after transplantation, the high cost associated with this practice represents a major financial burden. The availability of potent antivirals with high genetic barrier to resistance and minimal side effects have made it possible to recommend an HBIg-free prophylactic regimen in selected patients with low viral burden prior to transplant. Significant developments over the last two decades in the understanding and treatment of HBV infection necessitate a re-appraisal of the guidelines for prophylaxis of HBV infection in solid organ transplant recipients.

Hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation: a single center experiences and review the literature

BACKGROUND

Despite the advances in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, liver transplantation (LT) remains the only hope for many patients with end-stage liver diseases resulting from HBV.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of HBV recurrence in cases that had undergone LT due to the HBV related liver cirrhosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty-nine patients who underwent LT due to HBV related cirrhosis since 2001 to 2009 in Shiraz Organ Transplantation Center were enrolled in the present study. They were asked to complete the planned questionnaire and also to sign the informed consent in order to take part in this study. Post-transplant prophylaxis protocol against HBV recurrence was based on a hundred milligrams of lamivudine daily plus intramuscular injections of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) with appropriate dosage to keep anti-HBs antibody titer above 300 IU/L and 100 IU/L in the first six months and afterwards, respectively. Blood samples were obtained and checked for HBsAg, HBeAg, and the titers of Anti -HBsAb as well as Anti- HBeAb with ELISA. A quantitative HBV DNA assay was also done on all samples (GENE-RAD® Real-time PCR).

RESULTS

There were 91.8% males and 8.2% females enrolled in the study. The duration of post-transplant prophylaxis ranged from 3 months to 8 years (mean 18.9 ± 19.3 months). HBsAg and HBeAg were positive in 24.5% and 2% of cases, respectively. Real-time PCR for HBV DNA were zero copies/mL in 91.8% of patients, none of which represented a positive value for HBV recurrence (Positive > 10,000 copies/mL). The mean Anti-HBs Ab titer was 231.7 ± 135.9 IU/L; it was above 100 IU/L in 71.4% of patients. Thirty-seven (75.5%) of the patients were taking tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil, 6 (12.2%) were on cyclosporine plus mycophenolate mofetil, and 6 (12.2%) were taking sirolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil. HBsAg was detectable in seven patients taking tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil (18.9%), in four patients taking cyclosporine plus mycophenolate mofetil (66.7%), and in one patient among the six who were taking sirolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil (16.7%). There was no significant statistical correlation between the presence of a positive value for HBsAg and the immunosuppression regimen or Anti HBsAb titer (P ˃ 0.05). Presence of a positive value for HBsAg was not predictive of a positive HBV DNA or its level in blood (P ˃ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-transplant HBV prophylaxis with lamivudine and intramuscular HBIG with appropriate dosage to keep anti-HBs antibody titer above 300 IU/L in the first six months and above 100 IU/L afterwards is effective for prevention of HBV recurrence after LT.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatitis B cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has particular advantages for Turkey where hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common cause of cirrhosis, both because LDLT circumvents the difficulties encountered in the emerging world in providing deceased donor organs, and because it allows preemptive antiviral therapy. The aim of this study was to review one institution's experience with LDLT in patients with chronic HBV infection.

METHODS

A total of 109 patients with chronic HBV infection underwent LDLT between September 1999 and June 2005, of whom 40 were coinfected with hepatitis D virus and 23 had hepatocellular carcinoma. Antiviral prophylaxis was attempted in all, beginning prior to transplantation with lamivudine or adefovir, and continuing after transplantation with low dose intramuscular hyperimmune B immunoglobulin (HBIg) plus lamivudine or adefovir.

RESULTS

In a median follow up of 20 months (range 1-66 months), there was no donor mortality. One-year recipient survival was 90%, and in total 16 recipients died. None of the deaths was related to HBV. Recurrence of HBV infection was detected by reappearance of serum hepatitis B surface antigen in six patients (5.5%) at 5, 8, 12, 17, 34 and 46 months after transplantation, respectively. There was no influence of donor hepatitis B core antibody status on the likelihood of recurrence of HBV in the allograft.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that LDLT with antiviral treatment and low dose HBIg provides excellent results for donors and recipients.

Combination therapy in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B virus without hepatitis B immune globulin

INTRODUCTION

Conventional therapy to prevent HBV recurrence in liver transplant (LTx) recipients consists of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIg). The aim of this review is to investigate the safety and efficacy of converting HBIg and LAM therapy to ADV and LAM therapy.

METHODS

A retrospective review involving all liver transplant patients with HBV maintained on HBIg and LAM therapy. Results collected included: gender, age, HBV serological and DNA status (COBAS AmpliScreen PCR-based testing). Serologic testing was done every three months. Patients were followed for drug reactions, therapy compliance, and immune suppression compliance. A cost benefit analysis was done for drug comparisons using United States currency values.

RESULTS

Patient demographics included: Male (n=6), Female (n=4), mean age 44 years (range 33 to 65). The mean length of follow up since therapy conversion (from HBIg and LMV to ADV and LMV) was 21 months (range 16 to 25 months). Serological status at time of conversion revealed that DNA status remained negative in all patients, HBsAg negative in 10/10, HB eAg (+) (5/10) and HBeAb (+)(5/10). None of the patients experienced an increase in transaminases while on dual ADV and LAM therapy. All patients were maintained on immune suppression monotherapy (tacrolimus) at 7-9 ng/mL. All patients reported compliance with the dual therapy and that they experienced no drug related side effects. Mean yearly costs for ADV and LAM was 7,235.00 United States dollars (range 6,550.00 to 8,225.00); while mean monthly costs for HBIg and LAM; 9225.00 (range 7205.00 to 12005.00).

CONCLUSION

The above results demonstrate beneficial effects of ADV and LAM in place of the current standard of HBIg and LAM therapy. Safety and short term results show nucleoside therapy is adequate at preventing HBV viral recurrence. Lastly, the economic benefit for ADV and LAM vastly outweighed the HBIg and LAM group.

Failure of hepatitis B vaccination with conventional HBsAg vaccine in patients with continuous HBIG prophylaxis after liver transplantation

Hepatitis B vaccination after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related liver disease has been investigated as an alternative strategy to reinfection prophylaxis with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) with conflicting results. In most studies, HBIG treatment was discontinued before vaccination. An outstanding good response was achieved with vaccination under continuous HBIG administration using hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-based vaccine containing special adjuvants. Both, adjuvants and continuous HBIG administration have been discussed as crucial factors for good response. Twenty-four patients were vaccinated with conventional double dose recombinant vaccine containing 40 microg HBsAg up to 12 times at weeks 0, 2, 4 (cycle 1), 12, 14, 16 (cycle 2), 24, 26, 28 (cycle 3), and 36, 38, 40 (cycle 4). All patients received 2,000 IU HBIG every 6 weeks (4 times intravenously and 4 times intramuscularly). A significant response was defined as reconfirmed increase of anti-HBs-antigen (anti-HBs) unexplained by HBIG administration or lack of anti-HBs decrease below 100 IU/L after discontinuation of HBIG treatment after week 48. Only 2 of 24 patients (8.3%) responded significantly. Anti-HBs started to increase after the seventh vaccination (cycle 3, during intramuscular HBIG administration) in 1 patient and after 12th vaccination (cycle 4, during intravenous HBIG administration) in the other. Maximum anti-HBs levels were >1,000 IU/L in both patients and decreased significantly slower as compared to passive prophylaxis during follow-up. In conclusion, the conventional HBsAg vaccine failed to induce a significant humoral immune response in most patients despite continued HBIG treatment. Further studies should address the question, of whether the use of potent adjuvant systems results in higher response rates.

Hepatitis B virus immunization with an adjuvant containing vaccine after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related disease: failure of humoral and cellular immune response

Long-term hepatitis B reinfection prophylaxis after liver transplantation with hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and nucleoside analogues is expensive and inconvenient. Studies evaluating humoral immune responses to hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines showed conflicting results. Best results were achieved under continuous HBIG administration with an adjuvant-containing HBsAg vaccine. In the present study, 8 patients who had been HBsAg positive and HBV DNA negative prior to liver transplantation were immunized with HBsAg-vaccine containing the adjuvant 3-deacylated monophosphoryl-lipid-A. Vaccination was started after discontinuation of HBIG. Six vaccinations were administered at weeks 0, 2, 4, 12, 16 and 24. Humoral (anti-HBs titres) and cellular (enzyme-linked immunospot assay and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis) immune responses were studied. Only one of eight patients responded with a humoral immune response (maximum anti-HBs titre 561 U/l). In this patient, decrease of anti-HBs titre before vaccination was significantly slower than in the other seven patients and anti-HBs did not become negative before first vaccination. A T-cell response to HBsAg could not be detected in any of the patients. The responder was the only patient who showed a T-cell response to HBcAg. In conclusion, the adjuvant-containing vaccine did not induce a humoral or a detectable cellular immune response in most patients. Patient-related preconditions and concomitant HBIG administration should be further investigated as possible predictors for response.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation with immunosuppressive therapy in rheumatic diseases: assessment and preventive strategies

Understanding of the natural history and basic biology of hepatitis B virus (HBV) has increased greatly in recent years. In view of this, the following are reviewed here: (a) recent advances in HBV biology pertinent to the rheumatic disease population; (b) the risks of HBV reactivation in patients with rheumatic disease undergoing immunosuppression; and (c) potential strategies to manage these risks.

Low-dose intra-muscular hepatitis B immunoglobulin combined with lamivudine for long-term prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of long-term, low-dose intra-muscular hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) combined with lamivudine (LAM) in patients who received orthotopic liver transpl-ants (OLT) and have been followed up for acute or chronic HBV-related end-stage liver disease.

METHODS: The liver transplantation recipients (n = 173) who have been followed up and received antiviral prophylaxis post-OLT were divided into 3 sub-groups according to their post-OLT antiviral therapy, which were group A (LAM monotherapy, n = 2), group B (HBIg and LAM therapy, n = 168) and group C (HBIg and ADF therapy n = 3). All the patients received LAM treatment for 1 or 2 wk ahead of OLT. Either LAM (100 mg) or ADF (adefovir dipivoxil, 10 mg) was administered orally every day. HBIg were administered intravenously during the first post-operative week (total 5000 or 10 000 U according to HBV copies/L pre-operative) and intramuscularly thereafter (400 U per time, the interval can be adjusted according to HBsAb titer in the blood) to maintain an HBsAb titer > 300 U/L within 1 mo, > 200 U/L between 2-3 mo and > 100 U/L beyond 3 mo after operation. Mean follow-up period was 20.8 ± 14 mo. The periodical investigation for the liver function, the serological HBV and the analyses of liver tissues by immunohistochemistry were performed. The recurrent HB and the death suffered from it were recorded and analyzed in this research. The recurrence rates of HBV infection between UCLA and our institute were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: Four patients experienced HBV recurrence overall. One patient in group A experienced HBV recurrence (1 week after OLT) and positive HBV DNA (2 mo after OLT) associated with an increase in serum alanine aminotransferase. The treatment resistance of LAM was defined and the recipient died of the multiple organ failure 8 mo after OLT. Recurrent HBV appeared in 3 patients, whose HBV DNA levels in the pre-OLT blood were more than 10⁸ copies/L, in group B (12 d, 12 mo and 1.5 mo after OLT respectively). The pre- and post-operative HBeAg and HBV DNA were always positive in the first case whose blood HBsAb titer was far lower than programming effective one. The treatment resistance of HBIg was defined and the patient died of fulminant hepatitis 11 mo after OLT. The second case became an HBsAg carrier after HBV recurrence and was dead due to tumor recurrence 15 mo after OLT. The third case was fine with the treatment of HBIg combined with ADF and was negative for HBsAg after 5.5 mo. The HBV mutation might exist in both of the second and third case. None of group C had HBV recurrence. The HBV recurrence rate under the prophylaxis of HBIg combined with LAM was 1.8% (3/168). Intra-muscular HBIg was tolerated well in all the cases. The study showed no difference between UCLA and our institute (χ² = 0.280 37), and the expenditure was 3000-4000 US dollars per year.

CONCLUSION: The low-dose intra-muscular HBIg combined with LAM is efficacious in the long-term prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence after OLT. The total expenditure of prophylaxis is lower. ADF shows efficacy against the HBV-YMDD lamivudine-resistant mutation and may be a more efficacious agent for the prophylaxis of HBV recurrence after OLT.

Protocol liver biopsies in long-term management of patients transplanted for hepatitis B-related liver disease

AIM: To evaluate the long-term histological outcome of patients transplanted for HBV-related liver disease and given HBIg prophylaxis indefinitely after LT.

METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients transplanted for hepatitis B were prospectively studied. HBsAg, HBV-DNA and liver function tests were evaluated in the serum 3, 6 and 12 mo after LT and then yearly. LB was obtained 6 and 12 mo after LT and yearly thereafter. Chronic hepatitis (CH) B after LT was classified as minimal, mild, moderate or severe.

RESULTS: HBV recurred in 7/42 (16.6 %) patients after 6-96 mo of follow-up. A hundred and eighty-seven LB were evaluated. Four of 7 patients with graft reinfection, all with unknown HBV DNA status before LT, developed cirrhosis at 12-36 mo of follow-up. Of the 122 LB obtained from 28 HBsAg+/HCV- recipients with no HBV recurrence after LT, all biopsies were completely normal in only 2 patients (7.1 %), minimal/non-specific changes were observed in 18 (64.2 %), and at least 1 biopsy showed CH in the remaining 8 (28.5 %). Twenty-nine LB obtained from 7 patients transplanted for HBV-HCV cirrhosis and remaining HBsAg- after LT revealed recurrent CH-C. Actuarial survival was similar in patients with HBsAg+ or HBsAg- liver diseases.

CONCLUSION: Though protocol biopsies may enable the detection of graft dysfunction at an early stage, the risk of progression and the clinical significance of these findings remains to be determined.

Differential effects of donor age in liver transplant recipients infected with hepatitis B, hepatitis C and without viral hepatitis

The variable impact of specific risk factors on survival outcomes based on pre-transplantation diagnosis was analyzed in adult liver transplant recipients reported to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients: 778 with hepatitis B (HBV), 3463 with hepatitis C (HCV) and 7429 without viral hepatitis. Graft and patient survival for the HBV and no viral hepatitis groups did not differ significantly. The HCV group had significantly lower graft (p = 0.0019) and patient survival (p < 0.0001) than the no viral hepatitis group. Patient survival was significantly lower (p = 0.0011) for HCV compared to HBV patients; differences in graft survival approached significance (p = 0.0561). Donor age, which was not a risk factor in patients with HBV, was the strongest predictor of graft loss and death in patients with HCV, starting with donors >40 years. Donor age >60 years was the strongest predictor of graft loss and death in patients without viral hepatitis. The risks of graft loss and death were reduced for patients on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression with mycophenolate mofetil, regardless of disease etiology. There are clear differences in risk factors for poor outcomes based on underlying liver disease, particularly with regard to the impact of donor age.

Review article: Nucleoside analogues for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B

Current accepted treatment for chronic hepatitis B uses either the immunomodulator interferon alpha or nucleoside analogues lamivudine or adefovir. Interferon has side effects which mean it is often poorly tolerated. Long-term use of lamivudine is associated with increasing viral resistance for each year it is taken and the rebound viraemia that can occur when the drug is stopped is also of concern to many. Adefovir appears to have less of the resistance issues of lamivudine but is still a relatively new drug and at present its use is principally limited to patients with lamivudine-resistant disease. A number of other nucleoside analogues are currently being developed with some now at the stage of early clinical trials. A proportion share the significant resistance problems of lamivudine but many appear to have more potent anti-viral effect than the drugs currently available. If some of these newer anti-viral agents are approved for use in chronic hepatitis B, the potential for prolonged suppression of hepatitis B virus replication with resultant stabilization or improvement in liver disease may be achieved.

Outcomes in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B virus: resistance and recurrence patterns from a large transplant center over the last decade

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence following liver transplantation (LTx) has been controllable primarily with the use of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) and lamivudine (LAM). However, HBV resistance to LAM and/or HBIg has become an increasing problem prompting the use of newer antiviral agents. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between therapy, HBV breakthrough, and allograft / patient survival in HBV-positive liver transplant recipients. We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients that were transplanted for HBV from June 1994 to May 2003. A total of 92 patients, positive for either hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) or HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) pretransplant, received LAM monotherapy or HBIg (6 months) plus LAM therapy post-liver transplant. HBV breakthrough post-LTx was noted in 14 patients. All patients had detectable HBV DNA prior to liver transplantation; none of the patients that were HBV DNA negative prior to transplant had detectable HBV DNA posttransplant. Of these 14, 9 patients (64%) were switched from LAM to adefovir dipivoxil (ADF) and 5 patients (36%) to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TNV). In conclusion, pre-LTx HBV viremia should be considered in planning post-LTx prophylaxis. Trials to evaluate oral antiviral agents in combination with or without HBIg therapy are needed.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatitis B cirrhosis

The living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) experience for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is still limited. Because LDLT can be performed electively, it can provide an appropriate length of time to reduce HBV DNA levels before the operation. This study aims to examine the feasibility of our protocol for preventing HBV reinfection after LDLT. Of 20 patients analyzed, 15 patients had detectable serum HBV DNA when referred to our hospital. Thirteen patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. All patients were treated with lamivudine (100 mg/d) before LDLT. After LDLT, hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) was administered to maintain serum antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen titers at greater than 1,000 IU/mL for 1 year and 200 IU/mL thereafter. Lamivudine was not administered postoperatively, except for three patients with detectable serum HBV DNA just before LDLT. All patients survived the operation. One patient died 229 days after LDLT of carcinoma recurrence. In the other 19 patients, liver function has remained normal and no viral relapse occurred postoperatively during a median follow-up of 19 months. Perioperative use of lamivudine and indefinite HBIG administration in the postoperative period might be a rational strategy for preventing HBV reinfection after LDLT.

Results of liver transplantation according to indications for orthotopic liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the results of liver transplantation in patients with a variety of different indications.

METHODS

From 1989 to April 2003, 209 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLTx) were performed on 196 patients, including 178 cases. The diagnoses were: PBC (n = 34); PSC (n = 13); elective postinflammatory cirrhosis in the course of hepatitis C (n = 29); hepatitis B (n = 16); postalcoholic cirrhosis (n = 23), autoimmune cirrhosis (n = 11); Wilson's disease (n = 6); cirrhosis of unknown etiology (n = 10); secondary biliary cirrhosis (n = 5); Budd-Chiari syndrome (n = 6); and benign liver neoplasms (n = 7).

RESULTS

The 3-year survival rate in the group of patients transplanted electively was 74.1%. In other groups it was: PBC, 91.4%; PSC, 69.2%; hepatitis C, 69.6%; hepatitis B, 55.5%; postalcoholic cirrhosis, 80%; autoimmune cirrhosis, 81.8%; Wilson's disease, 57.1%; secondary biliary cirrhosis, 40%; Budd-Chiari syndrome, 66.6%; hemochromatosis, 100%; benign neoplasms of the liver, 87.5%; and liver cysts, 100%.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of liver transplantation were closely related to the urgency of the procedure. Better results were achieved in patients operated upon routinely compared with in those operated upon emergently (74.1% vs 50%). The best results of liver transplantation were achieved in patients transplanted on a routine basis with a diagnosis of PBC (91.4%), autoimmunologic cirrhosis (81.1%), postalcoholic cirrhosis (80%), or hemochoromatosis (100%). Patients with liver insufficiency due to hepatitis B and Wilson's disease have an increased risk of graft destruction, and the rate of survival in these patients is significantly lower than in other patients.

Immunization with an adjuvant hepatitis B vaccine after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related disease

Patients who undergo transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases are treated indefinitely with hepatitis B hyperimmunoglobulin (HBIG) to prevent endogenous HBV reinfection of the graft. Active immunization with standard hepatitis B vaccines in these patients has recently been reported with conflicting results. Two groups of 10 liver transplant recipients on continuous HBIG substitution who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and HBV DNA negative before transplantation were immunized in a phase I study with different concentrations of hepatitis B s antigen formulated with the new adjuvants 3-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and Quillaja saponaria (QS21) (group I/vaccine A: 20 microg HBsAg, 50 microg MPL, 50 microg QS21; group II/vaccine B: 100 microg HBsAg, 100 microg MPL, 100 microg QS21). Participants remained on HBIG prophylaxis and were vaccinated at weeks 0, 2, 4, 16, and 18. They received 3 additional doses of vaccine B at bimonthly intervals if they did not reach an antibody titer against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) greater than 500 IU/L. Sixteen (8 in each group) of 20 patients (80%) responded (group I: median, 7,293 IU/L; range, 721-45,811 IU/L anti-HBs; group II: median, 44,549 IU/L; range, 900-83,121 IU/L anti-HBs) and discontinued HBIG. They were followed up for a median of 13.5 months (range, 6-22 months). The vaccine was well tolerated. In conclusion, most patients immunized with the new vaccine can stop HBIG immunoprophylaxis for a substantial, yet to be determined period of time.

Immunization with an adjuvant hepatitis B vaccine after liver transplantation for hepatitis B-related disease

Patients who undergo transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases are treated indefinitely with hepatitis B hyperimmunoglobulin (HBIG) to prevent endogenous HBV reinfection of the graft. Active immunization with standard hepatitis B vaccines in these patients has recently been reported with conflicting results. Two groups of 10 liver transplant recipients on continuous HBIG substitution who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive and HBV DNA negative before transplantation were immunized in a phase I study with different concentrations of hepatitis B s antigen formulated with the new adjuvants 3-deacylated monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and Quillaja saponaria (QS21) (group I/vaccine A: 20 microg HBsAg, 50 microg MPL, 50 microg QS21; group II/vaccine B: 100 microg HBsAg, 100 microg MPL, 100 microg QS21). Participants remained on HBIG prophylaxis and were vaccinated at weeks 0, 2, 4, 16, and 18. They received 3 additional doses of vaccine B at bimonthly intervals if they did not reach an antibody titer against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) greater than 500 IU/L. Sixteen (8 in each group) of 20 patients (80%) responded (group I: median, 7,293 IU/L; range, 721-45,811 IU/L anti-HBs; group II: median, 44,549 IU/L; range, 900-83,121 IU/L anti-HBs) and discontinued HBIG. They were followed up for a median of 13.5 months (range, 6-22 months). The vaccine was well tolerated. In conclusion, most patients immunized with the new vaccine can stop HBIG immunoprophylaxis for a substantial, yet to be determined period of time.

Nucleoside analogues and other antivirals for treatment of hepatitis B in the peritransplant period

Chronic HBV infection is a common cause of advanced liver disease that is associated with substantial mortality. Furthermore, chronic hepatitis B was historically a controversial indication for liver transplantation because of a low post-transplant survival, with graft infection being the major contributor to adverse outcomes. The initial use of hepatitis B immune globulin as prophylaxis, followed later by combined therapy with lamivudine, markedly reduced viral recurrence and improved the survival of patients transplanted for acute or chronic hepatitis B with liver failure. Lamivudine alone can also be used for long-term prophylaxis against de novo HBV infection that can be transmitted by organs from donors positive for anti-HBc or anti-HBs. When used in patients with decompensated chronic hepatitis B with cirrhosis, lamivudine has been shown to improve clinical manifestations, prolong pretransplant survival, and defer, or even obviate, the need for transplantation. Despite prophylaxis, viral mutations with breakthrough reinfection may occur and lead to liver failure. The recently approved adefovir dipivoxil, which is active against lamivudine-resistant mutation, and other nucleoside analogs that are in various phases of development, offer hope as rescue therapy for viral recurrence. Other therapeutic alternatives in the future may include gene therapy and immune interventions.

Effectiveness of low-dose intramuscular anti-VHB immune globulin in the prophylaxis of viral B hepatitis reinfection after liver transplantation: preliminary report

INTRODUCTION

Prophylaxis using high-dose intravenous anti-HBV immune globulin (HBIG) is effective to prevent reinfection due to hepatitis B virus (HBV) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, this treatment is expensive and intravenous administration is difficult during outpatient care. Our aim was to assess the effectiveness of low-dose intramuscular HBIG to prevent HBV reinfection after OLT.

PATIENTS

Six patients (all men, mean age 41 years, negative HBV DNA without hepatotropic virus coinfection) were transplanted in our institution due to HBV cirrhosis and included in a prospective noncomparative study. Intramuscular HBIG (2000 IU) was administered during the anhepatic phase of OLT, followed by daily 2000 IU doses for 7 days and then monthly. HBV antibody titers were measured every month. Reinfection was defined as the recurrence of surface HBV antigen in serum after transplantation.

RESULTS

After 1 year follow-up, none of the six patients had detectable HBV surface antigen and the liver biopsies were normal in all cases. Using 2000 IU, anti-HBs levels were: 880+/-356 IU/L at 1 month, 191+/-123 at 6 months, and 225+/-49 after 1 year. In all cases anti-HBs titers were above 100 IU/L during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Monthly administration of low-dose (2000 IU) intramuscular HBIG effectively prevents recurrence of HBV infection as well as attains a protective level of anti-HBs antibodies (over 100 IU/L) for at least the first year after transplantation.