Successful kidney transplantation from a deceased donor with chronic hepatitis B infection and review of literature

Abstract

There is huge gap between patients requiring organ transplantation and the available organ donor pool. Various strategies are being pursued to expand the organ donor pool. Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the donor is considered a contraindication for organ donation. However, HBV infection is endemic in some regions, and a significant number of donors may harbor chronic HBV infection. Safe transplantation from donors with chronic HBV infection may allow significant expansion of the donor pool in such areas. We report the first instance in India of successful organ harvesting and kidney transplantation from a deceased donor with chronic HBV infection with no evidence of transmission of infection for 1 year after transplantation, and we briefly review the relevant literature.

Keywords

• donor pool
• end-stage renal disease
• hepatitis b infection
• organ donation
• transplantation