Long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in patients with hepatitis C virus infection

Background/Aims: The impact of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection on the lon g-term outcome of kidney transplant patients is controversial. Methodology: Eighty-four renal allograft recipients who were seronegative f or hepatitis B surface antigen and had been screened for antibody to hepati tis C virus (anti-HCV) were included. The outcome and survival were compare d between anti-HCV-positive (n = 30, group 1) and anti-HCV-negative (n = 54 , group 2) kidney transplant patients. Group 1 patients were further compar ed to 52 anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients (group 3) who w ere on chronic dialysis. Results: Group 1 patients had a higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis than group 2 and group 3 patients did (67% vs. 2% and 31%). Liver-related compl ications and deaths between group 1 and group 2, and group 1 and group 3 pa tients were not significantly different. The comparisons of the long-term s urvival between these groups showed no significant differences, despite gro up 3 patients had a higher overall mortality rate. Cox regression analysis confirmed that age more than 45 years was the only independent factor that affected survival in anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients wit h or without kidney transplantation. Conclusions: HCV infection is not a contraindication to kidney transplantat ion. For anti-HCV-positive end stage renal disease patients, survival is be tter in younger patients, and is not influenced by kidney transplantation o r continuing dialysis.