Refractory acute rejection in a living related liver transplantation

Hepatic allograft rejection after liver transplantation remains an important problem. We report a case of corticosteroid and anti-T cell monoclonal antibody-resistant acute cellular rejection in living related liver transplantation. A 57-year-old female received a right liver graft from her daughter for hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis. Methylprednisolone and tracrolimus were used for immunosuppression. The patient experienced acute rejection 10 days after the operation. Rescue therapy was attempted using high doses of methylprednisolone and then monoclonal antibodies. Deterioration of graft function, however, was not prevented, resulting in graft and patient loss. Graft lost due to refractory acute rejection could also occur in living related liver transplantation, although it should be rare.