Outcomes of ABO-incompatible liver transplantation in end-stage liver disease patients co-infected with hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients coinfected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are eligible for liver transplantation (LT) in Africa and Southeast Asia, particularly China. However, the outcome of HIV-HBV coinfected patients referred for ABO-incompatible LT (ABOi-LT) is unknown. AIM: To clarify the outcome of ABOi-LT for HIV-HBV coinfected patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). METHODS: We report on two Chinese HIV-HBV coinfected patients with ESLD who underwent A to O brain-dead donor LT and reviewed the literature on HIV-HBV coinfected patients treated with ABO-compatible LT. The pretransplantation HIV viral load was undetectable, with no active opportunistic infections. Induction therapy consisted of two sessions of plasmapheresis and a single dose of rituximab in two split doses, followed by an intraoperative regimen of intravenous immunoglobulin, methylprednisolone, and basiliximab. Post-transplant maintenance immunosuppressive agents consisted of tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil, and prednisone. RESULTS: At the intermediate-term follow-up, patients showed undetectable HIV viral load, CD4(+) T cell counts greater than 150 cells/μL, no HBV recurrence, and stable liver function. A liver allograft biopsy showed no evidence of acute cellular rejection. Both patients survived at 36-42 mo of follow-up. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of ABOi-LT in HIV-HBV recipients with good intermediate-term outcomes, suggesting that ABOi-LT may be feasible and safe for HIV-HBV coinfected patients with ESLD.