Serologic and DNA follow-up data from HBsAg-positive patients treated with orthotopic liver transplantation

Long-term safety and efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate substitution for hepatitis B immunoglobulin following liver transplantation

Background and Aims

Limitations to the use of long‐term Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin (HBIg) following liver transplantation for hepatitis B (HBV) have led to the substitution of HBIg with oral nucleo(s)tide analogue prophylaxis. We prospectively assessed the long‐term safety and efficacy of switching to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) from HBIg.

Methods

An open‐label, multicenter switch study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of TDF for HBIg whilst continuing lamivudine (LAM) therapy in preventing the recurrence of HBV in patients who had been maintained as hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐negative posttransplantation for at least 12 months.

Results

Eighteen patients were enrolled (median age 66 years, range 42–78 years); 84% were male, and 78% on calcineurin inhibitors. Median time after transplantation was 14 years (range 5–19), and median duration of HBIg/LAM prior to the switch was 10 years (range 1–14). Median follow‐up was 5 years (range 5–8). Of 18 patients, 16 (89%) remained HBsAg and HBV DNA negative at the end of follow‐up. Two patients had re‐emergence of HBsAg without a detectable HBV DNA and no clinical sequelae. Creatinine clearance significantly reduced (median 59 mL/min to 51 mL/min, P = 0.03), necessitating dose reduction of TDF in six (33%) participants, with two eventually ceasing TDF. One patient switched back to HBIg by choice. All patients who changed therapy maintained an undetectable HBsAg.

Conclusion

Substitution of HBIg with TDF in patients on LAM is well tolerated and effective for the long‐term prevention of HBV recurrence posttransplantation. Renal dysfunction occurs frequently in the posttransplant setting and can require dose adjustment of TDF or change of therapy.

Is hepatitis B immunoglobulin necessary in prophylaxis of hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation? A meta-analysis

Background & Aims

Application of nucleoside analogues and hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) has reduced hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence rate after liver transplantation (LT) dramatically. Recent data suggests therapy without HBIG is also effective. We sought to evaluate the necessity of HBIG in prophylaxis of HBV recurrence after LT.

Methods

A meta-analysis was performed. PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge and other databases were searched for eligible literatures. The major end points were recurrence rate, patient survival, and YMDD mutant. Risk difference (RD) or risk ratio (RR) was calculated to synthesize the results.

Results

Nineteen studies with a total of 1484 patients were included in this analysis. Application of HBIG was helpful to reduce HBV recurrence [P<0.001; RD = 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI)(0.12, 0.20)] and virus mutants [P<0.001; RR = 3.13; 95%CI (1.86–5.26)], it also improved patients' 1-year [P = 0.03; RD = 0.08; 95%CI (0.01, 0.15)] and 3-year survival rates [P = 0.005; RD = 0.17; 95%CI(0.05, 0.28)]. No significant difference was found for patients' 5-year survival [P = 0.46; RD = −0.06; 95%CI (−0.21, 0.10)]. Sub-group analysis showed that in patients with positive pre-operative HBV DNA status, HBIG was necessary to reduce HBV recurrence rate (P<0.001; RD = 0.42; 95%CI (0.32, 0.52)). In patients with negative HBV DNA, combined therapy gained no significant advantages (P = 0.18; RD = 0.06; 95%CI (−0.03, 0.14)). Non-Lamivudine (non-LAM) antiviral drugs performed as well as combination therapy in prophylaxis of HBV recurrence after LT (P = 0.37; RD = 0.06; 95%CI (−0.02, 0.14)).

Conclusions

HBIG with nucleoside analogues is helpful to reduce HBV recurrence and virus mutants. The necessity of HBIG in prophylaxis of HBV recurrence after LT when using new potent nucleoside analogues, especially for patients with negative pre-transplant HBV DNA status remains to be evaluated.

Nucleoside plus nucleotide analogs and cessation of hepatitis B immunoglobulin after liver transplantation in chronic hepatitis B is safe and effective

BACKGROUND

After orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in chronic hepatitis B (HBV), adequate prophylaxis for recurrence of HBV in the graft is mandatory.

OBJECTIVES

Evaluate safety of HBV prophylaxis with tenofovir and emtricitabine (TDF/FTC) after cessation of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) after OLT in chronic HBV.

STUDY DESIGN

In 17 consecutive patients after OLT in chronic HBV we started TDF/FTC after cessation of HBIG. All had received HBIG >6 months. 15/17 were HBsAg negative and 16/17 had undetectable HBV-DNA.

RESULTS

After mean follow-up of 2 years 16/17 patients were alive, one died due to urosepsis. All 16 with undetectable HBV-DNA remained HBV-DNA negative. From 15 HBsAg negative patients at start, in one seroconversion to positive HBsAg occurred, without detectable HBV-DNA. Liver biochemistry remained within the normal ranges. There were no cases of drug discontinuation. No major side effects were reported. TDF/FTC use saves €16,262/year over standard-of-care (HBIG+LAM). This prospective follow-up study shows that in liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B, after initial treatment including HBIG for at least 6 months combined with or followed by (dual) nucleos(t)ide analog therapy, TDF/FTC provides adequate prophylaxis against recurrent HBV infection without major side effects and leads to substantial cost savings over a regimen with HBIG.

CONCLUSION

Combined prophylaxis with TDF/ETV nucleoside plus nucleotide analogs and cessation of immunoglobulin after liver transplantation in chronic hepatitis B is safe and effective.

KASL Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of chronic hepatitis B

The guideline on the management of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) was first developed in 2004 and revised in 2007 by the Korean Association for the Study of the Liver (KASL). Since then there have been many developments, including the introduction of new antiviral agents and the publications of many novel research results from both Korea and other countries. In particular, a large amount of knowledge on antiviral resistance--which is a serious issue in Korea--has accumulated, which has led to new strategies being suggested. This prompted the new guideline discussed herein to be developed based on recent evidence and expert opinion.

TARGET POPULATION

The main targets of this guideline comprise patients who are newly diagnosed with CHB and those who are followed or treated for known CHB. This guideline is also intended to provide guidance for the management of patients under the following special circumstances: malignancy, transplantation, dialysis, coinfection with other viruses, pregnancy, and children.

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin discontinuation followed by hepatitis B virus vaccination: A new strategy in the prophylaxis of hepatitis B virus recurrence after liver transplantation

It is widely agreed that hepatitis B virus immunoglobulin (HBIG) should be administered for at least 12 months to patients transplanted for hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related diseases to prevent HBV recurrence. No data are available, however, on how long this treatment should be used, and most centers currently administer HBIG on a life-long basis. Herein, we report the results of a new prophylactic strategy aiming at the discontinuation of HBIG treatment and consisting of the administration of double dose recombinant HBV vaccine (0, 1-, and 6-month schedule) to liver transplant recipients fulfilling the following criteria: (1) liver transplantation for conditions related to nonreplicative HBV infection (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] positive, hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg] negative, and HBV DNA negative); (2) at least 18 months of HBIG administration; and (3) no HBV infection recurrence, normal or slightly altered liver graft function, and low-grade immunosuppression at the time of vaccination. Seventeen patients received HBV vaccination and 14 of them (82%) developed protective serum titers of anti-HBs (>10 IU/L). Six patients seroconverted after a first course of vaccination, whereas 8 patients required a second course (3 additional doses of vaccine). Responding patients were followed for a median of 14 months (range, 3-50) after seroconversion. During this period no HBV recurrence occurred and in only 2 patients a decrease of anti-HBs titers below 10 UI/L was observed. Our data suggest that in selected liver transplant recipients, posttransplantation HBV vaccination may be a useful and cost-effective strategy in the prophylaxis of HBV recurrence, allowing the discontinuation of life-long HBIG treatment.

Liver transplantation and HBsAg-positive postnecrotic cirrhosis: adequate immunoprophylaxis and delta virus co-infection as the significant determinants of long-term prognosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The place of liver transplantation in hepatitis B viral (HBV)-related diseases remains controversial because of the high rate of reinfection. The aim of this study was to define the determinants of long-term prognosis after transplantation.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients were transplanted during the period February 1984-September 1996. Six patients died during the early (< 3 months) posttransplant period from causes unrelated to HBV infection. All 52 long-term (> 3 months) survivors were evaluated in relation to the mode of presentation, viral replication at time of transplantation, absence of hepatocellular cancer at time of transplantation and use of adequate immunoprophylaxis (IP). Adequate immunoprophylaxis, defined as maintenance of anti-HBs levels over 100 mUI/ml, was introduced in December 1989. Intention-to-treat IP analysis compared patients transplanted before and after this date. The median follow-up was 74 months (range 4 to 131). Forty-seven patients (90%) had a minimal follow-up of 3 years.

RESULTS

Five-year actuarial survival rates of 58 patients and of 52 long-term survivors were 72 +/- 6% and 80 +/- 6%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that delta co-infection (n = 25) significantly improved survival (p < 0.001) [96 +/- 4% vs 63 +/- 10% in HBV patients (n = 27) at 5 years] as did absence of hepatocellular cancer (n = 36) (p = 0.020) [89 +/- 5% vs 61 +/- 12% in 16 non-cancer patients]. IP, however, significantly influenced 5-year survival in the HBV-patient group (n = 17) (p = 0.001) [85 +/- 10% vs 30 +/- 14% in 10 patients without IP). Multivariate analysis selected delta co-infection (p = 0.002) and IP (p = 0.01) as the significant determinants of prognosis independently influencing survival. Uni- and multivariate analyses showed that survival without reinfection was significantly influenced by IP (p = 0.002) [73 +/- 8% (n = 31) versus 33 +/- 12% in 15 non-treated patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Delta virus co-infection and immunoprophylaxis are the most important prognostic factors after transplantation for postnecrotic HBsAg-positive cirrhosis. Transplantation can be proposed as a therapeutic tool only if life-long adequate adjuvant therapy can be achieved. Under this condition good results can even be obtained if there is viral replication at the time of transplantation.

Improved clinical outcomes with liver transplantation for hepatitis B-induced chronic liver failure using passive immunization

OBJECTIVE

The goals were to summarize the results of liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B disease (HBV) at the University of Virginia, correlate pretransplant viral markers with posttransplant hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) requirements, and identify the relation between viral protein in the liver and clinical reinfection.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Liver transplantation is an accepted treatment for end-stage liver disease from chronic HBV infection, although lifelong antiviral treatment (with HBIg or antiviral agents) is still necessary. Patients with evidence of active viral replication (detectable serum HBV-DNA or e antigen) at the time of transplant have a higher rate of allograft infection. Whether clinically stable patients receiving HBIg immunoprophylaxis have detectable viral products in their grafts remains unknown.

METHODS

Forty-four transplants performed for HBV disease at the University of Virginia since March 1990 were reviewed. Most patients underwent aggressive passive immunoprophylaxis with HBIg to maintain serum HBV surface antibody (HBsAb) levels > or =500 IU/l for the first 6 months after the transplant, and > or =150 IU/l thereafter. Patients had viral markers quantified, underwent pharmacokinetic analysis of HBsAb levels to adjust dosing, and were biopsied routinely every 3 to 6 months and when indicated.

RESULTS

Forty-four transplants were performed in 39 patients. Actual 1-year and 3-year graft survival was 95% and 81%, respectively, and 1-year and 3-year patient survival was 98% and 96%, respectively. After the adoption of indefinite HBIg prophylaxis, nine grafts became infected (all in recipients positive for HBV e antigen). Three occurred within 8 weeks of transplantation and were associated with a short HBsAb half-life and a wild-type virus. Six occurred >8 months after the transplant, and most of these were associated with viral mutation. Quantification of pretransplant markers was an overall poor predictor of HBIg requirements after the transplant. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated transient low-level expression of core protein in the liver in 23% of patients without serum or clinical evidence of recurrent hepatitis.

CONCLUSIONS

An excellent outcome is possible after liver transplantation for chronic HBV disease using HBIg dosed by pharmacokinetic parameters. Currently, quantification of pretransplant serum markers of the HBV antigen load does not predict the intensity of posttransplant treatment required for good clinical outcomes. Because HBV is not eradicated from the patient, some form of indefinite antiviral therapy continues to be warranted.

Liver transplantation in HBsAg-positive HBV-DNA--negative cirrhotics: immunoprophylaxis and long-term outcome

The presence of a positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) has been considered a highly questionable indication for orthotopic liver transplantation. We report our experience in the treatment of HBsAg-positive HBV-DNA-negative cirrhotics with liver transplantation, whether or not followed by passive prophylaxis with specific immunoglobulins. Of the 123 cirrhotics who received transplants at our institution since May 1986, 39 (31.7%) were HBsAg positive; of these, 1 was HBV-DNA positive, and 4 were hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) positive. Since April 1991, 25 HBsAg-positive HBV-DNA-negative cirrhotics have undergone an original protocol with the periodical intramuscular administration of 5,000 IU of specific immunoglobulins starting in the anhepatic phase and lasting for at least 1 year. There were no differences among cirrhotics in terms of operative mortality and long-term survival with respect to the presence of the HBsAg. Of the 35 HBsAg-positive HBV-DNA-negative patients having a follow-up of 1 month or longer, 12 (34.3%) developed HBsAg recurrence; of them, 4 (33.3%) had received a complete prophylaxis, whereas 8 (66.7%) had not. The recurrence rate was 80% (8 out of 10) in the group of patients who had not received the prophylaxis and 16% (4 out of 25) in the group who had received the prophylaxis (P = .0003). The actuarial recurrence rate in the treated patients was 20.2% and 20.2% after 1 and 3 years, respectively, whereas in the untreated group it was 60.0% and 70.0% (P < .01). The hazard of recurrence of treated patients was reduced to 24.9% compared with untreated patients. Liver transplantation can be performed in HBsAg-positive HBV DNA negative patients without an increase in the operative risk or a worsening of long-term results. Immunoglobulin prophylaxis seems to be effective in preventing hepatitis recurrence after transplantation.

Sanctuary of hepatitis B virus in bone-marrow cells of patients undergoing liver transplantation

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection after liver transplantation is a major problem. HBV is mainly a hepatotrophic virus but replicates in many extrahepatic tissues. We present here two cases of infected patients who underwent liver transplantation. Both underwent bone marrow (BM) and liver biopsies after transplantation. Biopsy specimens were stained for hepatitis B surface antigen (HB-sAg), and bone marrow aspirates and were separated for all subsets of cells. In both cases, HBV DNA analysis detected DNA in all BM fractions after transplantation, but HBV recurrence was found only in one case. We suggest that graft reinfection after liver transplantation may be caused by active replication of HBV in extrahepatic tissues and that BM cells are probably one of the major sanctuaries. The use of immunoprophylaxis based on BM-HBV studies is discussed.

Recurrent hepatitis C virus hepatitis in liver transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus: association with rejection and increased immunosuppression after transplantation

BACKGROUND

Recurrent hepatitis C virus is associated with significant morbidity and mortality after liver transplantation. However, the risk factors for clinical recurrence including the role of rejection and immunosuppression have not been defined in patients receiving tacrolimus (FK506) as primary immunosuppression.

METHODS

Sixty-six consecutive adult liver transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus as primary immunosuppression were monitored; 31 of 66 underwent transplantation for end-stage liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. Median follow-up for the patients in the study was 3 1/2 years. Recurrent hepatitis C virus hepatitis determined on histopathologic evaluation developed in 58% (18 of 31). A number of clinical variables including rejection and intensity of immunosuppression were assessed for patients with and without recurrence.

RESULTS

Rejection episodes preceding recurrence were documented in 72% (13 of 18) of patients with recurrence compared with 23% (3 of 13) in those without recurrence (p=0.007). A total of 33% (5 of 15) of patients with no rejection experienced recurrence versus 83% (5 of 6) with one episode of rejection (p=0.06) and 80% (8 of 10) with more than one episode of rejection (p=0.04). The mean number of steroid boluses for the treatment of rejection was higher for patients with recurrence (2.3 versus 0.77, p=0.01). Overall immunosuppression (as measured by steroids boluses, recycles, OKT3, and azathioprine) was significantly more intense for patients with recurrence (p=0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater rejection concurrent with increased immunosuppression was associated with a higher recurrence of hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients.

Famciclovir therapy for recurrent hepatitis B virus infection after liver transplantation

Between November 1993 and June 1995 18 patients received oral famciclovir (3 x 500 mg) for treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection after liver transplantation. Reinfection was defined as the reoccurrence of HBsAg in the serum. In the first 15 patients, famciclovir therapy was initiated after clinical signs of graft hepatitis, whereas the last 3 patients received treatment immediately after HBV-DNA was detected. Famciclovir was well-tolerated in all patients. HBV-DNA values were decreased to undetectable levels in 8 out of 18 patients. Clinical status improved in 7 patients, whereas 5 patients remained unchanged and 6 patients progressed to deteriorating graft function and death. When famciclovir was initiated early after reinfection, a response rate of approximately 66% was observed. Late onset of therapy in patients with fulminant hepatitis generally failed to provide any clinical benefit.

Survival after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B using reduced immunosuppression

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Recurrent hepatitis B virus infection after liver transplantation performed for chronic hepatitis B with cirrhosis is influenced by a number of factors, including coinfection with the hepatitis D virus, the level of HBV replication, and administration of hepatitis B immune globulin. Another potentially important factor in modulating HBV infection after liver transplantation is the degree of immunosuppression post-transplant. We reviewed an institutional experience with liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B and analyzed the impact of using lower doses of corticosteroids on HBV reinfection, expression of recurrent HBV disease and patient survival.

METHODS

Of 17 patients undergoing liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B, 16 patients received variable doses of hepatitis B immune globulin for up to 6 months.

RESULTS

Fifteen of the 16 patients remained HBsAg-negative during hepatitis B immune globulin therapy, but ultimately 13 of the 17 patients had HBV reinfection, including 3 of 4 patients with hepatitis D virus coinfection. Long-term survival (82%) of the 17 chronic hepatitis B patients was not different from the survival (75%) of 195 patients transplanted for other indications. Three of 13 patients who were reinfected died from chronic hepatitis B with liver failure. Reinfection did not appear to be related to the pretransplant degree of viral replication. Compared to an age- and sex-matched control group, patients undergoing liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B received less cumulative intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisone, but did not experience a higher rate of graft rejection.

CONCLUSIONS

We postulate that use of lower doses of corticosteroids after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B is safe and not associated with a higher incidence of graft rejection. Moreover, low-dose maintenance prednisone therapy may modify the course of post-transplant HBV reinfection by leading to less viral replication, milder HBV-related liver disease and better patient survival.

Hepatitis B virus precore mutant infection is associated with severe recurrent disease after liver transplantation

The factors that predispose patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatitis B virus (HBV) disease to severe recurrence of infection are unclear. In this study we examined the effect of pretransplantation infection with HBV and precore variant strains of HBV on posttransplantation outcome and allograft histology in 24 patients who survived more than 3 months after liver transplantation. Based on pretransplantation serum HBV DNA status as detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing, the 24 patients could be assigned to three groups. In group 1 there were 4 patients HBV DNA-negative before transplantation and none of these patients suffered recurrence of infection posttransplantation. In group 2, of 10 patients with pretransplantation infection with wild-type virus, 7 became reinfected, and 1 of these developed HBV-related graft failure. In group 3, 9 of 10 patients infected with precore mutant HBV strains became reinfected. However, in contrast to the patients in group 2, 7 patients in group 3 developed HBV-related graft loss, and 5 of these patients had fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH). These results indicate that infection with precore mutant strains of HBV predisposes a patient to early graft loss following transplantation.

Liver transplantation in European patients with the hepatitis B surface antigen

BACKGROUND

The role of liver transplantation in patients positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is controversial because of the high rate of recurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It has not been determined whether this risk is greater for certain patients and whether the administration of anti-hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) immune globulin is beneficial.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study at 17 European centers of 372 consecutive HBsAg-positive patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1977 and 1990. Recurrence of HBV infection was defined as the reappearance of HBsAg in serum.

RESULTS

For all 334 patients with follow-up data, the mean (+/- SE) three-year actuarial risk of recurrence of HBV was 50 +/- 3 percent. The risk was 67 +/- 4 percent among 163 patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, 32 +/- 5 percent among 110 patients with cirrhosis related to hepatitis delta virus, 40 +/- 16 percent among 14 patients with fulminant hepatitis delta infection, and 17 +/- 7 percent among 39 patients with fulminant HBV infection (P < 0.001). Among the patients with HBV-related cirrhosis, the risk of HBV recurrence was greatest (83 +/- 6 percent) in those who were seropositive for HBV DNA at the transplantation and lowest (58 +/- 7 percent) in those with neither HBV DNA nor hepatitis B e antigen detectable in serum. With respect to the use of passive prophylaxis with anti-HBs immune globulin, the risk of HBV recurrence was 75 +/- 6 percent among the 67 patients given no immunoprophylaxis, 74 +/- 5 percent among the 83 treated for two months, and 36 +/- 4 percent among the 209 treated for six months or longer (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis the predictors of a lower risk of HBV recurrence were the long-term administration of the immune globulin, hepatitis delta virus superinfection, and acute liver disease. For the entire study cohort, survival was 75 percent at one year and 63 percent at three years, but for those in whom HBV infection recurred, survival was 68 percent at one year and 44 percent at three years.

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective study of HBsAg-positive patients, liver transplantation had better results in those who had fulminant hepatitis or delta virus superinfection. An absence of viral replication at the time of transplantation and long-term immunoprophylaxis were associated with a reduced risk of recurrent HBV infection and reduced mortality.