Long-term outcomes with oral therapy in liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND: The long-term impact of oral hepatitis B antiviral therapy in liver transplant (LT) recipients is currently underexplored. The objective of this study was to evaluate how oral antiviral agents impact long-term renal function in this population. METHODS: We studied 79 patients who received a LT for hepatitis B and were placed on all-oral antiviral therapy after withdrawing from hepatitis B immune globulin therapy at the University of California, Los Angeles. Laboratory data were obtained through a retrospective chart review. Univariate analysis and two-sided t tests were performed. RESULTS: The mean (±SD [standard deviation]) age at the time of LT was 65.4 (± 8.2) years. The overall mean (±SD) follow-up from LT was 6.5 (±3.3) years. 22.8% (18/79) of recipients on all-oral therapy had worsening of their chronic kidney disease stage, and 17.7% (14/79) had an increase in creatinine of at least 0.3 mg/dL. There were no significant changes in creatinine and GFR in patients while on tenofovir alafenamide. Patient survival was decreased for recipients who developed detectable HBsAg. CONCLUSION: Tenofovir alafenamide appears to have less of an impact on renal function in LT recipients than other antiviral agents. HBV recurrence after transplant is associated with decreased patient survival and remains an important issue to address for LT recipients on oral antiviral therapy.

Effectiveness of Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir with/without Ribavarin in Liver Transplant Recipients with Hepatitis C.

Background and Aims: Recurrent infection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in liver transplant (LT) recipients is universal and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir with and without ribavirin in LT recipients with recurrent genotype 1 hepatitis C. Results: Eighty-five LT recipients were treated for recurrent HCV with ledipasvir/sofosbuvirwith and without ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) time from LT to treatment initiation was 68 (±71) months. The mean (± SD) age of the cohort was 63 (±8.6) years old. Most recipients were male (70%). Baseline alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) values (± SD) were 76.8 (±126) mg/dL, 0.8 (±1.3) U/L, and 8,010,421.9 (±12,420,985) IU/mL, respectively. Five of 43 recipients who were treated with ribavirin required drug cessation due to side effects, with 4 of those being anemia complications. No recipient discontinued the ledipasvir/sofosbuvir. Eighty-one percent of recipients had undetectable viral levels at 4 weeks after starting therapy, and all recipients had complete viral suppression at the end of therapy. The sustained viral response at 12 weeks after completion of therapy was 94%. Conclusion : Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with and without ribavirin therapy is an effective and well-tolerated interferon-free treatment for recurrent HCV infection after LT. Anemia is not uncommon in LT recipients receiving ribavirin.