Successful Living-Donor Liver Transplant for Fulminant Hepatitis in a Heart Recipient

Exp Clin Transplant. 2015 Aug;13(4):369-70. doi: 10.6002/ect.2014.0030. Epub 2014 Mar 19.

Abstract

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus replication is a known complication of immunosuppressive therapy, which can lead to hepatocellular injury, liver failure, and death. In this report, we describe the case of a 44-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B and a dilated cardiomyopathy status after a heart transplant. Reactivation of the patient 's hepatitis B virus occurred 4 months after the heart transplant. Despite prompt administration of antiviral therapy, he developed fulminant hepatitis with hepatic encephalopathy. A successful living-related liver transplant was performed 7 months after the heart transplant. The patient was followed up for 1 year, and during that time was free of hepatitis B virus. We suggest that routine antiviral therapy should be administered to patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving immunosuppressive therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Heart Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / virology
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects
  • Hepatitis B virus / immunology
  • Hepatitis B virus / pathogenicity*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / immunology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / virology
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects
  • Liver Failure, Acute / diagnosis
  • Liver Failure, Acute / surgery*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / virology
  • Liver Transplantation / methods*
  • Living Donors*
  • Male
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Virus Activation* / drug effects

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunosuppressive Agents