Anti-hepatitis B surface immunoglobulin reduction in early postoperative period after liver transplantation in hepatitis B virus-positive patients

Aim: We investigated a protocol that lowered the necessary dose of anti-hepatitis B surface immunoglobulin (HBIg) with frequent monitoring of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibody (HBsAb) levels in the early post-transplant period. Methods: Fifteen hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive patients were studied. We administered a nucleoside analog from the preoperative period, high dose HBIg was used intraoperatively (200IU/kg in the patients who weighed less than 50kg, and 10000IU in those who weighed more than or equal to 50kg) and was continued every day (5000-10000IU/day). Thereafter, HBIg was administered to keep the target trough titers. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of this protocol for preventing HBV reactivation. Results: The average use of HBIg during the first three postoperative months (POM) was 27.9±9.6Kilo International Units. The average cost was $US11800 in the first three postoperative months, compared with other previously reported protocols (about $20000-40000). HBV reactivation was detected in only one patient (6.7%) during the median follow up of 64months (range: 12-86months). Conclusions: The present protocol for HBIg administration, which used frequent monitoring of HBsAg and HBsAb levels to determine the minimum required dose, was both safe and effective, and contributed to overall cost saving after liver transplantation.