Objective: To investigate the risk factors and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection after liver transplantation.
Methods: Patients with HBV related end-stage liver disease underwent liver transplantation in our center, and received the combination of intramuscular hepatitis B virus immunoglobulin and oral lamivudine as prophylaxis for HBV reinfection. HBV reinfection cases were monitored after the transplantation.
Results: HBsAg disappeared and HBsAb was detectable in 128 of total 130 patients. The median follow-up period was 12.2 months after transplantation. Eight patients developed HBV reinfection. The recurrence rate of HBV was 6.3%. The reinfection risks were 14.3% and 4.0% respectively among patients with serum HBeAg positive and negative before transplantation (P < 0.05). Among patients with serum HBsAg positive and negative at the first day after liver transplantation, the reinfection risks were 21.1% and 3.7% respectively (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Combination of intramuscular HBIg and Lamivudine as prophylaxis of HBV reinfection is effective. HBeAg positive before liver transplantation and HBsAg positive at the first day after transplantation are risk factors of HBV reinfection.