Korean J Transplant.  2023 Nov;37(Suppl 1):S113. 10.4285/ATW2023.F-6921.

Hepatitis B virus reactivation in a liver transplant recipient using hepatitis B immunoglobulin plus antiviral drug

• Jarumanee T
• Kanthawong W
• Vorasittha A

• KMID: 2551733
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4285/ATW2023.F-6921

Abstract

Background
The combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) and antiviral drugs after liver transplantation is considered the standard of care for prophylaxis against HB virus (HBV) recurrence. However, there is no consensus regarding the duration of use and dose of HBIG. This study aims to compare the HBV reactivation in patients who had been prophylaxis with long-term antiviral drugs combined with short-and long-course HBIG.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective study. Liver transplant recipients who had HBsAg positive between January 2008 to June 2023, a total of 85 patients, were included in the analysis. Baseline characteristics of patients, usage of antiviral and HBIG, including the period of HBIG usage were recorded. The data was analyzed for the reactivation of hepatitis B, defined as the reappearance of HBsAg in serum.
Results
Among the study population, 23 patients received the antiviral drug and HBIG for less than 12 months, and 62 patients received the antiviral drug and HBIG for more than 12 months. Of 85 liver transplant patients, HBV reactivation occurred in eight recipients (9.4%). Reactivation was found in one patient who received HBIG for less than 12 months, and seven patients who received HBIG for more than 12 months (4.3% vs. 11.3%, P=0.33).
Conclusions
There was no significant difference in HBV reactivation between those on short- or long-course HBIG combined with long-term antiviral drug regimens. So, a short-course of HBIG combined with a long-term antiviral drug regimen seems to be cost-effective, without any impact on HBV recurrence.