Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive kidney transplant recipients have increased liver-related mortality. The impact of lamivudine treatment on patient survival, the optimal time to start treatment, and the feasibility of discontinuing treatment have not been determined. This study examined these issues with a novel management protocol. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were measured serially in HBsAg-positive kidney transplant recipients, and lamivudine was administered preemptively to patients with increasing HBV DNA levels with or without elevation of aminotransferase levels. Outcomes of patients who underwent transplantation before or after institution of this preemptive management strategy (in January 1996) were compared.
H epatitis B virus (HBV) infection is an importantcause of morbidity and mortality after kidney transplantation. [1][2][3][4][5] The number of chronic HBV carriers exceeds 300 million worldwide, and up to 14% of renal allograft recipients in endemic areas are hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive. 6,7 Progressive liver disease affects more than 80% of HBsAg-positive renal transplant recipients 8,9 and accounts for 37% to 57% of mortality. 3,4,9 Life-threatening exacerbation of liver disease can develop in previously healthy HBV carriers. An optimal monitoring and treatment regimen for HBsAg-positive renal allograft recipients has not been defined.Lamivudine is a nucleoside analogue with proven efficacy in suppressing HBV DNA levels and ameliorating aminotransferase and histologic abnormalities in nonimmunosuppressed patients with chronic hepatitis B. 10,11 Short-term studies have shown virologic and biochemical efficacy in small series of renal transplant recipients. [12][13][14][15][16] We and others have reported favorable results with lamivudine in the treatment of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis B, which hitherto has been associated with nearly uniform mortality. 17,18 However, many critical issues remain unresolved. It is not known whether patient survival can be Abbreviations: HBV, hepatitis B virus; HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; HBeAg, hepatitis B e antigen.