Reactivation of Hepatitis B virus in kidney transplant recipients with previous clinically resolved infection: A single-center experience

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) involves important morbidity and mortality. Despite being more common in patients who are HBsAg-positive, it may occur in patients with clinically resolved infection (HBsAg-negative and anti-HBc-positive), in whom the presence of the protective anti-HB antibody is thought to decrease the risk of reactivation. Data regarding reactivation rates in this population are scarce. Objective: To retrospectively evaluate the risk of HBV reactivation in KTR with previously resolved infection. Material and methods: Retrospective cohort study including patients who underwent a kidney transplant between January 1994 and December 2014 with resolved HBV infection at the time of transplantation (anti-HBc seropositivity without detectable HBsAg, with or without anti-HB-positive antibodies and normal liver enzymes). Results: Out of 966 patients, 95 patients with evidence of resolved HBV infection were analyzed, of which 86 had a titer of anti-HBs >10 mIU/ml. Mean follow-up time was 93 months; 12 patients had lost anti-HBs. Two patients showed evidence of reactivation. Risk factors associated with loss of anti-HBs were elderly age (>60) and occurrence of acute graft rejection (p 10 mIU/ml. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 93 meses, 12 pacientes habían perdido anti-HBs. Dos pacientes tuvieron evidencia de reactivación. Los factores de riesgo asociados a la pérdida de anti-HBs fueron la edad avanzada (>60) y la evidencia de rechazo agudo del injerto (p < 0,05). Conclusión: El riesgo de reactivación del VHB en RTR con infección previamente resuelta (2%) no es despreciable. La edad avanzada y el rechazo agudo están asociados a la pérdida de anti-HBs, y estos pacientes podrían beneficiarse de una vigilancia de los niveles de DNA del VHB. Las serologías de rutina y/o la monitorización de la carga viral en pacientes HBsAg-negativo, anti-HBc-positivo está recomendado y debería ser enfatizado en estos pacientes. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Kidney transplantation, Infection, Reactivation, Risk factors, Palabras clave: Hepatitis B, Trasplante renal, Infección, Reactivación, Factores de riesg