Does hepatitis C virus affect the reactivation of hepatitis B virus following renal transplantation?

Abstract

Background. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is endemic in Taiwan. Transplantation followed by long-term immunosuppressive medications may precipitate HBV reactivation. Interference of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with HBV gene expression and replication has been confirmed in many studies involving non-transplant populations. This study investigates the incidence of HBV reactivation following renal transplantation and compares the clinical outcome, especially the liver outcome, of patients with or without HCV co-infection. Methods. Fifty-one of 512 renal transplant recipients were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen before surgery, and were followed for 81.6±7.5 (4–120) months. Seventeen of 51 patients acquired HCV before transplantation and six patients acquired HCV after renal transplantation. Results. At the end of this assessment, we had 28 patients who suffered HBV reactivation and another 23 patients who suffered no HBV reactivation. Initially, we found a significant difference of HCV carriage (PPPConclusion. HCV might affect the reactivation of HBV by decreasing the incidence or delaying the onset of HBV reactivation in renal transplant recipients carrying both HBV and HCV.