Viral hepatitides infections in transplant recipients

Hepatitis C (HCV) and hepatitis B (HBV)-related end-stage liver disease are the most common indications for liver transplantation (LTx) in our area. Recurrent HCV infection is universal after LTx and although histological recurrence is variable, the rate of disease progression is more rapid than in non-immunosupressed patients and this impact graft and patient survival. All anti-HCV treatment strategies have shown limited efficacy so, at the present time, HCV reinfection after LTx represents the most important clinical problem in the follow-up. Regarding HBV, the most important factor in viral recurrence in the allograft is the presence of active viral replication at the time of LTx. The best patient selection (in non-replicative phase), the indefinite use of hiperinmune anti-hepatitis B immunoglobulin and the use of the new antiviral drugs have made possible a significant improvement in graft and patient survival.