The influence of hepatitis B and C virus infections on patient and allograft outcomes in kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are the most important causes of chronic liver diseases among end-stage kidney disease patients. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of HBV and HCV infections on patient and allograft outcomes after successful kidney transplantation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 592 kidney transplantations performed between December 2008 and August 2010. We compared patient and graft survivals as well as age, gender, immunosuppression status, pretransplant dialysis duration, chronic allograft dysfunction, and causes of death.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients (5.4%; group 1) were positive for HCV antibody, whereas 16 (2.7%) were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (group 2). Two patients (0.3%) were positive concurrently for both HCV antibody and HBsAg. Five hundred forty-two patients (91.6%; group 3) were negative for both. Patients were divided into groups with respect to viral infection. The groups were analyzed for age, gender, immunosuppression, pretransplant dialysis duration, chronic allograft dysfunction, and causes of death, as well as patient and graft outcomes. There were no differences in patient and graft survivals among the groups. None of the patients showed signs of hepatic failure. No patient or graft loss was observed among hepatitis groups when compared with disease-free patients.

CONCLUSION

Graft and patient survivals were not influenced by HBV and/or HCV infections. HBV and HCV infections are not contraindications for kidney transplantation.