Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 30, 2026
Vascular Reconstruction with the Cuff Technique in Mouse Orthotopic Liver Transplantation
Published on: December 1, 2023
Successful outcome of liver transplantation in a patient with hepatitis C and common variable immune deficiency
1Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, Third Floor, Nuffield House, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK.
Insights
A liver transplant recipient with common variable immune deficiency experienced aggressive hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence post-surgery. Immunosuppression withdrawal led to HCV clearance and sustained recovery, highlighting immune modulation
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Immunology
- Virology
Background:
- Patient with common variable immune deficiency (CVID) underwent liver transplantation due to hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced cirrhosis.
- HCV infection was acquired via contaminated immunoglobulin, leading to rapid cirrhosis and liver failure.
Observation:
- Post-transplant, the patient developed severe cholestatic hepatitis and liver failure five months after the procedure.
- Withdrawal of immunosuppressive therapy resulted in spontaneous recovery from liver failure.
Findings:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurred aggressively post-transplantation.
- Successful clearance of HCV from serum was achieved by withdrawing immunosuppression, with sustained viral clearance upon reintroduction of low-dose therapy.
Implications:
- This case suggests that immunosuppression withdrawal can be an effective strategy for managing recurrent HCV post-liver transplantation.
- Modulating immunosuppression may facilitate viral clearance in CVID patients with recurrent HCV after liver transplantation.
Abstract:
A 43-year-old man with common variable immune deficiency underwent liver transplantation for cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV had been acquired from a contaminated batch of immunoglobulin. He developed cirrhosis within 3 years of infection with the virus, then liver failure requiring liver transplantation. The immediate post-transplant course was uncomplicated. Five months after transplantation he developed liver failure, and the histological appearances were those of severe cholestatic hepatitis. Withdrawal of immunosuppression resulted in recovery from liver failure. Clearance of the HCV from serum was also observed and has been sustained during follow-up (despite the subsequent reintroduction of low-dose immunosuppression). The patient is alive and well more than 5 years after transplantation. His post-transplant course has been remarkable for the aggressive recurrence then clearance of the HCV.
