Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection is a major threat to HBV-infected patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation. Eleven HBsAg-positive patients with end-stage liver disease underwent liver transplantation. All were treated with high doses of anti-HBs antibodies, initiated first during the anhepatic stage of the operation and continued every 2-8 weeks thereafter according to anti-HBs levels in the serum. Attempts were made to keep anti-HBs levels above 400 IU/ml. Patients were followed for 8-42 months and only one of them had any evidence for recurrence of HBV infection 40 months post-transplantation. We conclude that continuous administration of anti-HBs and maintenance of high levels of anti-HBs in the serum prevent recurrence of HBV infection.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 469-473 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Israel Journal of Medical Sciences |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 8 |
State | Published - Aug 1995 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Hepatitis B virus
- Liver transplantation