Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
The CYP2D6 Animal Model: How to Induce Autoimmune Hepatitis in Mice
Published on: February 3, 2012
Hepatitis C associated chronic liver disease in renal transplant recipients
A H Abdalla1, M H Al Sulaiman, D H Mousa
1Department of Renal Medicine, Riyadh Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is common in kidney transplant patients, often leading to chronic liver disease. Screening for HCV is crucial before transplantation to prevent complications.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Hepatology
- Transplant Surgery
Background:
- Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a significant cause of illness and death in kidney transplant recipients.
- High prevalence of HCV infection necessitates understanding its impact on graft recipients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV infection and associated chronic liver disease in stable renal transplant recipients.
- To evaluate the histological findings and disease progression in HCV-positive patients post-transplantation.
Main Methods:
- Studied 340 stable renal transplant recipients using second-generation ELISA for anti-HCV testing.
- Liver biopsies were performed on 23 patients; repeat biopsies were conducted on seven to assess disease progression.
- Serum transaminase levels were monitored in patients with abnormal liver histology.
Main Results:
- Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 54% (185/340) of patients, with 28% (52/185) showing evidence of chronic liver disease.
- Liver biopsies revealed significant histological abnormalities, including chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis, in 15 patients.
- Repeat biopsies indicated disease worsening in four out of seven patients over a mean period of 23.8 months.
Conclusions:
- Renal transplant recipients exhibit a high prevalence of HCV infection and significant chronic liver disease.
- Histological liver damage is common in HCV-positive transplant patients, with a tendency towards disease progression.
- Caution is advised when considering transplantation for anti-HCV positive individuals due to potential complications.
Abstract:
Infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is emerging as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. We studied three hundred and forty stable renal transplant recipients on follow-up in our transplant clinic. Anti-HCV, tested by second generation ELISA, was positive in 185 patients (54%) of whom 52 (28%) had evidence of chronic liver disease. Six of the study patients were positive for anti-HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen. Twenty-three patients consented to undergo liver biopsy of whom eight had normal histology or fatty changes. Five patients had chronic non-specific hepatitis; four each had chronic lobular and chronic active hepatitis (CAH) and two had CAH with cirrhosis. All 15 patients with significant abnormalities on liver histology had elevated serum transaminase levels. Repeat liver biopsies were performed in seven patients after a mean period of 23.8 months following the first biopsy which showed worsening of the disease in four while three retained the same pattern. These results suggest that the prevalence of anti-HCV in our renal transplant recipients is high and that these patients have a high prevalence of chronic liver disease associated with major changes on liver histology. It is therefore recommended that caution is exercised while considering transplantation in patients who are anti-HCV positive.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
01:25Hepatitis
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
01:24Chronic Kidney Disease II: Clinical Manifestations
01:23Cirrhosis I: Introduction