Viral hepatitis and liver transplantation: pathogenesis, prevention and therapy of recurrent disease

Dig Dis. 2014;32(5):538-44. doi: 10.1159/000360831. Epub 2014 Jul 14.

Abstract

Cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis C virus infection is the leading cause of liver transplantation in most countries. Hepatitis C has an accelerated course after transplantation, and for this reason graft and patient survival are decreased in comparison with other indications of liver transplantation. The development of direct-acting antivirals has been a major step in the management of hepatitis C and in a few years from now the infection will be eradicated with the combination of oral drugs with a good safety profile. This will likely allow prevention of hepatitis C recurrence in most cases. Meanwhile, management of hepatitis C virus infection still relies on the combination of interferon, ribavirin and the first-generation protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / therapy*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / virology*
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation*
  • Recurrence