Recurrent Viral Hepatitis Following Liver Transplantation: Report of 4 Cases

ABSTRACT

The recurrence of viral hepatitis B or C after liver transplantation is almost universal but their clinical courses and outcomes are vary widely. We investigated four cases of rapidly progressive and fatal recurrent viral hepatitis following liver transplantation, which were rapidly progressive and fatal. Case 1 was a 58-year-old male, who developed recurrent viral hepatitisC. Case 2, 3, and 4 were a 59-year-old female, a 42-year-old male, and a 50-year-old male, respectively, who developed recurrent viral hepatitis B. In cases 1 and 2, the histopathological features of the first liver biopsies were prominent ballooning degeneration of the hepatocytes but later biopsies revealed significant lobular activity. Case 3 began with a marked fatty change and mild lobular and porto-periportal activity and progressed to severe lobular activity and septal fibrosis. In case 4, the first liver biopsy revealed minimal lobular activity but the second biopsy revealed severe lobular activity.