Time of acquisition of HCV infection in renal transplant recipients: a major prognostic factor for disease progression

Background This study aims to identify crucial factors affecting the evolution of liver disease in HCV‐infected renal transplant recipients. Methods Forty‐two HCV‐infected recipients with known time of HCV acquisition were followed up for a mean (SD) of 7.6 ± 3.4 yr after transplantation with consecutive liver biopsies. Hepatitis progression was defined by: a) fibrosis progression ≥0.2 stages/yr and/or b) development of a cholestatic syndrome. Results Twenty‐three patients (54.8%) displayed benign and 19 (45.2%) aggressive hepatitis progression. Hepatitis course was aggressive in 9.1% and 85% of the patients infected pre‐ and peri/post‐transplantation, respectively (p