Recommendations for hepatitis B immunoglobulin and antiviral prophylaxis against hepatitis B recurrence after liver transplantation

Abstract

The combination of hepatitis B immunoglobulin and potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation is considered as the standard of care for prophylaxis against hepatitis B virus recurrence. However, the recommended doses, route of administration, and duration of HBIG administration remain unclear. Moreover, hepatitis B immunoglobulin-free prophylaxis with potent nucleos(t)ide analogs has shown promising disease outcomes in preventing hepatitis B virus recurrence. The current recommendations, produced by the Turkish Association for the Study of the Liver, Acute Liver Failure and Liver Transplantation Special Interest Group, suggest a reduced need for hepatitis B immunoglobulin administration with effective long-term suppression of hepatitis B virus replication using potent nucleos(t)ide analogs after liver transplantation.