Recurrent Hepatitis C Virus Infection In Egyptian Patients Post-Liver Transplantation

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) related end-stage liver disease is the leading indication for liver transplantation (LT) in Egypt (El-Meteini et al., 2003). HCV infection recurrence is universal in patients with detectable HCV RNA at the time of liver transplantation. The course of HCV-related liver disease is accelerated in LT recipients and approximately one third of them develop cirrhosis within 5 years following transplantation (EASL, 2014). Successful therapy of HCV infection has been shown to have a positive impact on both graft and patient survival. Patients with post-transplant recurrence of HCV infection should be considered for therapy once chronic hepatitis is established and histologically proven (EASL, 2014).