Abstract: FR-PO912
The Risk of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation with Rituximab Desensitization in HBsAg-Positive Kidney Transplant Recipients
Session Information
- Transplantation: Translational and Transplant Pathology
October 26, 2018 | Location: Exhibit Hall, San Diego Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Transplantation
- 1802 Transplantation: Clinical
Authors
- Seo, Yuri, Asan medical center, Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
- Baek, Chung Hee, Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, SEOUL, Korea (the Republic of)
- Park, Su-Kil, Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, SEOUL, Korea (the Republic of)
Background
Rituximab, as a powerful immunosuppressive agent, is used for ABO mismatched Kidney transplantation (KT) or flow cytometry positive patients. Because rituximab has elevated risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation, antiviral prophylaxis is recommended for positive hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg(+)) recipients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment with an antiviral agent is enough for preventing HBV reactivation in HBsAg(+) patients who had KT with rituximab desensitization.
Methods
The 128 patients who underwent KT from 2009 to 2016 identified as HBsAg(+) before KT in a single center were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups according to whether rituximab was used or not (29 patients in Rituximab(+) group, 99 patients in Rituximab(-) group). HBV reactivation was diagnosed by an increase in HBV DNA more than 2 log10 international units/mL or a detectable HBV DNA level when previously undetectable HBV DNA. In addition, HBV reactivation was compared between 500 mg and 200 mg in rituximab(+) group.
Results
Reactivation of HBV DNA was detected in 4 among 29 (13.79%) HBsAg(+) patients in rituximab(+) group and 20 among 99 (20.20%) HBsAg(+) patients in rituximab(-) groups (P=0.592). The 4 patients with HBV reactivation in rituximab(+) group had already taken antiviral agents since KT (Table1). LFT elevation was detected in 2 of the 4 patients that HBV DNA was reactivated. The elevated LFT or reactivated HBV DNA was spontaneously resolved without change of antiviral agents. The Number of HBV DNA reactivation was not lowered according to changing rituximab dose from 500 mg (1/8, 12.50%) to 200 mg (3/21, 14.29%) in rituximab(+) group.
Conclusion
When HBsAg(+) patients received KT, the use of Rituximab may not increase HBV reactivation. It is suggested that the usage of antiviral agents is efficient prophylaxis for HBV reactivation of HBsAg(+) recipients who had KT with rituximab desensitization.
Table 1. Time of DNA reactivation after KT in the 4 patients with HBV reactivation in rituximab(+) group (by year)
Antiviral agent | Time of DNA reactivation after KT | |||||
0-1 year | 1-2 year | 2-3 year | 3-4 year | 4-5 year | ||
Patient 1 | entecavir | v | ||||
Patient 2 | entecavir | v | ||||
Patient 3 | entecavir | v | ||||
Patient 4 | telbivudine | v |