Hepatitis C Virus Recurrence in Deceased and Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Comparative Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Today, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause for liver transplantation (LT) and viral recurrence is almost universal. OBJECTIVE: Whether hepatitis C virus recurrence occurs earlier and with greater severity for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) than for deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). METHODS: We evaluated preoperative and postoperative clinical. laboratory, and histological outcomes of 180 patients who underwent LT post-HCV infection (65 DDLT & 115 LDLT). Patients diagnosed for recurrence histologically were further re-evaluated. RESULTS: The LDLT group was significantly younger. CTP score was insignificant, while MELD score was higher in LDLT. The mean preoperative and postoperative HCV -RNA count was significantly lower in DDLT group (p= 0.012 & p= 0.027 respectively). At onset of recurrence. the onset and laboratory parameters were insignificant. Histologically, 59.57% & 41.89% patients in DDLT & LDLT group, respectively, diagnosed to have recurrence (p-value >0.05). Fibrosis and activity scores were significantly higher in the LDLT group (p= <0.0 I). CONCLUSIONS: HCV recurrence rates and severity of reinfection remain comparable for LD as well as DD organs: yet. LDLT docs not significantly increase the risk and severity of HCV recurrence than DDLT.