A case-controlled study on the use of HBsAg-positive donors for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

To compare the clinical and serological outcomes of patients receiving donors' marrow positive or negative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), we studied 18 patients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation receiving HBsAg-positive marrow (group 1) and 18 receiving HBsAg-negative marrow (group 2). The recipients of the 2 groups were matched for hepatitis B virus (HBV) serology, sex, age, underlying hematological diseases, conditioning regimen, and prophylaxis against graft-versus-host diseases. Eight (44.4%) recipients in group 1 and 2 (11.1%) in group 2 suffered from HBV-related hepatitis posttransplant (P =.03). Furthermore, HBV-related hepatic failure was seen in 6 group 1 patients, but in none of the group 2 patients (P =.007). Five of the 9 (55.5%) HBsAg-negative recipients in group 1 became positive after receiving HBsAg-positive marrow. Serum HBV DNA was positive in all 5 donors of these patients, but in none of the donors of recipients who remained HBsAg negative (P =.008). Group 1 patients developing HBV-related hepatitis posttransplant were more likely to have a donor carrying a precore A(1896 )and/or core promoter T(1762)/A(1764) HBV variant (62. 5% versus 0%, P =.007). This study has demonstrated that a high incidence of HBV-related hepatitis was associated with the use of HBsAg-positive marrow for transplant, and a high viral load in the donor appeared to predispose recipients to the development of HBV-related hepatitis posttransplant. Further clinical trials will be necessary to determine the optimal management approach to this problem, including the use of the antiviral agents in the donors and the recipients. (Blood. 2000;96:452-458)