Use of Hepatitis B Virus –Positive Organs in Organ Transplantation

The significant morbidity and mortality of people with end-stage renal, liver, heart, and lung diseases in need of transplantation provides rationale for use of organs from donors who are hepatitis B positive. The recipient ’s hepatitis B status plays a key role in defining the prophylactic strategy. The availability of safe and effective therapies (hepatitis B antivirals and hepatitis B immune globulin) has contributed to the safety of using hepatitis B–positive donors. The outcomes in both liver and nonliver soli d organ transplant recipients given hepatitis B–positive organs have been excellent if appropriate prophylactic therapies provided.
Source: Clinics in Liver Disease - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Source Type: research