Hepatitis C (cont.)
Medical Author:
Suresha Rajaguru, MD
Medical Author:
Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP
Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACPMary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University. Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MDJay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In this Article
 What about liver transplantation for hepatitis C infection?HCV is the leading reason for liver transplantation in the U.S., accounting for 40% to 45% of transplants. HCV routinely recurs after transplantation and infects the new liver. Approximately 25% of these patients with recurrent hepatitis will develop cirrhosis within five years of transplantation. Despite these findings of recurrence, the five-year survival rate for patients with HCV is comparable to that of patients who are transplanted for other types of liver disease. Treatment for recurrent hepatitis after transplantation is not a simple issue. Most transplant centers delay therapy until recurrent disease is confirmed. Treatment of recurrent hepatitis is complicated with interferon, an important drug for treatment, is an immune modulator (modifier) that may promote rejection of the transplanted liver. Furthermore, interferon and ribavirin may not be well tolerated by patients who just underwent transplantation and are taking many different kinds of medications. What is the current research and what is in the future for hepatitis C?As our awareness of HCV infection increases, more and more patients are being diagnosed with this condition. Current research includes diagnosis, natural history, treatment, and vaccine development.
For Further InformationThe NIH maintains a summary of recent information on Hepatitis C, which can be found at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/chronichepc/ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also provides information for patients and clinicians at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/ REFERENCES: Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 1/2/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Hepatitis C - Symptoms
Question: What symptoms did you experience with hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C - Treatment
Question: What methods of treatment, including medication, have you received for your hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C - Treatment Side Effects Experience
Question: Describe the side effects associated with treatment for your hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C - Diagnosis
Question: What kinds of tests did you have to diagnose your hepatitis C?
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