Hepatitis C-positive donor liver transplantation for hepatitis C seronegative recipients

Peng sheng Ting, James Peter Hamilton, Ahmet Gurakar, Nathalie H. Urrunaga, Michelle Ma, Jaime Glorioso, Elizabeth King, Lindsey P. Toman, Russell Wesson, Jacqueline Garonzik-Wang, Shane Ottmann, Benjamin Philosophe, Mark Sulkowski, Andrew M. Cameron, Christine M. Durand, Po Hung Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The opioid crisis has led to an increase in hepatitis C virus-positive donors in the past decade. Whereas historically hepatitis C seropositive organs were routinely discarded, the advent of direct-acting antiviral agents has notably expanded the utilization of organs from donors with hepatitis C. There has been growing experience with liver transplantation (LT) from hepatitis C seropositive donors to hepatitis C seropositive recipients. However, data remain limited on LT from hepatitis C seropositive or hepatitis C ribonucleic acid positive donors to hepatitis C seronegative recipients. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 26 hepatitis C seronegative recipients who received hepatitis C seropositive donor livers followed by preemptive antiviral therapy with direct-acting antiviral treatment at the Johns Hopkins Hospital Comprehensive Transplant Center from January 1, 2017, to August 31, 2019. Results: Twenty-five of the 26 recipients are alive with proper graft function; 20 of them received livers from hepatitis C nucleic acid testing positive donors. All 12 recipients who completed their direct-acting antiviral courses and have reached sufficient follow-up for sustained virologic response have achieved sustained virologic response. Nine of our recipients have either completed direct-acting antiviral treatment without sufficient follow-up time for sustained virologic response or are undergoing direct-acting antiviral treatment. One patient is awaiting antiviral treatment initiation pending insurance approval. Of note, 11 of 12 patients with sustained virologic response received a hepatitis C nucleic acid testing positive donor liver. Conclusion: Hepatitis C seronegative patients who receive a hepatitis C seropositive or hepatitis C nucleic acid testing positive liver allograft can enjoy good short-term outcomes with hepatitis C cure following direct-acting antiviral treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere13194
JournalTransplant Infectious Disease
Volume21
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2019

Keywords

  • direct-acting antiviral
  • hepatitis C virus-negative recipient
  • hepatitis C virus-positive donor liver
  • liver transplantation
  • preemptive antiviral therapy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Transplantation

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