[The course of hepatitis C infection after liver transplantation]

HCV infection is an important health problem all over the world. Hepatitis C is the main reason for liver cirrhosis and liver failure which is one of most common indication for liver transplantation (OLT). HCV-associated liver cirrhosis appears at 20-25% of infected patients within 20 years. Recurrence of HVC infection nearly universally follows transplantation and may lead to graft loss. Acute hepatitis appeared in 75% of patients. The rate of HCV cirrhosis on the graft is variable from 8 to 25% at 5 years. Antiviral treatment with combination therapy interferon-ribavirin gave promising results. Attempts to introduce prophylactic post-transplant antiviral treatment are still under evaluation. This paper presents clinical and therapeutical issues of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.