Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Core Antibody Seropositivity: Effects of Preemptive Therapy
Experimental and Clinical Transplantation, cilt.24, sa.6, ss.340-344, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 6
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.6002/ect.mesot2025.p130
- Dergi Adı: Experimental and Clinical Transplantation
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.340-344
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Hepatic failure, Hepatitis B reactivation, Immunosuppressive treatment, Renal disease, Viral hepatitis
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objectives: Hepatitis B virus reactivation, particularly when occurring under immunosuppressive therapy, poses a risk for patients with chronic or resolved hepatitis B virus infections. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus reactivation in kidney transplant recipients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively screened patients who underwent kidney transplant between 2012 and 2023 seen at our center (Izmir, Türkiye). We included transplant recipients with resolved hepatitis B virus infection. We analyzed risk factors associated with reactivation and the clinical course of patients who developed hepatitis B virus reactivation. Results: Our analyses included 95 kidney transplant recipients; mean follow-up period was 70 ± 31 months. Baseline serology revealed that 9.4% of patients had isolated anti-HBc positivity, whereas 90.6% were positive for both anti-HBc and anti-HBs. None of the patients received antiviral prophylaxis at baseline; however, 14 patients received prophylaxis during the follow-up period. Among the 81 transplant recipients who did not receive prophylaxis, hepatitis B virus reactivation occurred in 3 patients (3.7%). No serious adverse outcomes, such as liver failure, liver transplant, or death due to hepatitis B virus reactivation were observed. Conclusions: Although hepatitis B virus reactivation is uncommon in hepatitis B surface antigen-negative/ anti-HBc-positive patients after kidney transplant, reactivation remains a potential risk. In patients not scheduled for long-term prophylaxis, careful assessment regarding the necessity, efficacy, and safety of antiviral intervention is critical for optimal management.