Recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation: a review of factors associated with graft injury

Abstract

Recurrence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) occurs in virtually all patients transplanted for HCV-related liver disease. Although the clinical and histological course of recurrent HCV is highly variable, recurrent disease is accelerated compared with HCV disease in the non transplant setting, leading to cirrhosis in 5-30% of patients within 5 years after transplantation. We outline factors associated with the severity of HCV recurrence (e.g. level of pretransplant viremia, living donor liver transplant, donor age, cytomegalo-virus infection, treatment of rejection), providing insight into mechanisms of liver injury and potential measures to prevent or minimize this injury.