Liver graft dysfunction due to hepatitis C infection

We analyzed natural history of recurrent HCV-infection after cadaveric liver transplantation (LTx) in 38 cases. The mean follow-up time was 23.8 (95% CI, 18.4; 29.2) mo after LTx. There were latent course in 19 pts, and active hepatitis in another 19 pts in the 1st post-LTx year. Active hepatitis has been associated with CMV-infection, acute cellular rejection and methylprednisolon pulse-therapy. Liver biopsy had shown advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis in 19% cases independently on latent or active course. In 5 out 8 pts with latent course of HCV-infection in the 1st y., the active hepatitis developed up to the end of the 2nd y. FU. Two cases of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis resulted in the death or retransplantation. Two cases of unusual course of recurrent HCV-infection described (i.e. fulminant liver failure without cholestasis).