Effects of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity of donors in HBsAg(+) renal transplant recipients: comparison of outcomes with HBsAg(+) and HBsAg(−) donors

Aim The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positivity of the donors on graft survival and liver complications in HBsAg(+) renal transplant recipients. Patients and method A group of 55 patients who underwent renal transplantation (RTx) in our hospital between 2001 and 2012 were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 50) consisted of HBsAg(+) renal transplant recipients (RTR) whose donors were HBsAg(−). In Group 2 (n = 5), RTR and donors were both HBsAg(+). Lymphocyte cross matches, number of mismatches, donor types, renal replacement treatment modalities, drugs of induction treatment, and preoperative hepatitis B virus DNA titers of the groups were similar. In Group 1, 42 patients were taking lamivudine, 3 patients were taking entecavir, and 5 patients were taking tenofovir. All of the patients in Group 2 were taking lamivudine. Patient and graft survival rates, graft functions, acute hepatitis rates, acute rejection rates, and other clinical outcomes of the groups were compared. Results Demographic data of the groups were similar. Acute rejection rates (P = 0.458), graft survival rates (P = 0.515), and patient survival rates (P = 0.803) were also similar. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of acute hepatitis rate (P = 0.511), glomerular filtration rate (calculated by Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula) in the last follow‐up (P = 0.988), alanine aminotransferase levels (P = 0.069), or delayed graft function rate (P = 0.973). Rates of chronic allograft dysfunction and new onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation were similar. Conclusion Our study revealed that, RTx from HBsAg(+) donors to HBsAg(+) recipients is safe with antiviral treatment.