C irrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading indication for cadaver and living donor liver transplantation. 1 Recurrent HCV infection, which occurs within days in virtually all allografts, is associated with a 10-to 20-fold increase in serum HCV RNA levels because of enhanced replication stimulated by immunosuppression. 2,3 A majority develop acute hepatitis C 1 to 4 months post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) that is characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and hepatocyte apoptosis. Progression to chronic hepatitis C is associated with: (1) decline in HCV RNA levels observed in the acute phase because of effects of HCVspecific CD4 T helper subtype 1 (T H 1) and CD8 cell responses, (2) profibrotic effects of interferon-␥ (IFN-␥), and (3) proapoptotic effects of increased hepatocyte expression of Fas. 3 Progression of chronic hepatitis C is accelerated in immunosuppressed patients post OLT, resulting in a cumulative probability of cirrhosis in 30% by 5 years. 4 In addition, a minority develop severe, usually fatal, cholestatic hepatitis C within the first 6 months after OLT that is characterized by a direct cytopathic effect of excessive intrahepatic replication of HVC, intrahepatic anti-inflammatory T H 2 cytokine expression, and absence of an HCV-specific immune response. 3 Studies of the impact of different immunosuppressive regimens on recurrent hepatitis C also have been performed in an attempt to reduce hepatitis C progression while preventing acute cellular rejection (ACR). 5 Overall, HCV infection significantly reduces graft and patient survival compared with patients who undergo OLT for non-HCV-related indications. 6 Results of re-OLT are poor, 7 and this is an increasingly unrealistic option in view of the shortage of organ donors.To prevent morbidity and mortality associated with recurrent hepatitis C, many centers have used interferon alfa (IFN-␣) and/or ribavirin (RVN) as either antiviral prophylaxis or treatment of established hepatitis C or hepatitis B. Regimens have ranged from