Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection is a prevalent condition in end-stage renal disease and presents an important clinical challenge in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Interferon-based therapies have shown low efficacy and tolerability and high risk of rejection episodes. In this report, we describe the initial results of a single center experience with new direct antiviral agents (DAA) in KTR, regarding response, tolerability and complications. Results: A total of 15 kidney transplant recipients with HCV infection initiated sofosbuvir-based treatment in our center, 8 already completed treatment, 6 are still receiving medication and one discontinued (worsening renal function due to unrelated clinical complications). Characteristics from the 8 patients that completed treatment are presented in Table 1. Six patients (75%) received sofosbuvir and daclatasvir for 12 weeks, one (12.5%) for 24 weeks, and one (12.5%) received sofosbuvir, daclatasvir and ribavirin for 12 weeks. Five (62.5%) patients were receiving calcineurin-inhibitors, and no dose adjustments were necessary. Treatment was generaly well tolerated, with one case of symptomatic anemia (in a patient receiving ribavirin) that did not required hemotransfusion, and two patients presenting tachycardia that did not required intervention. One patient presented an acute rejection episode after the treatment completion that was not attributed to therapy but occurred in a context of low immunosuppression. Conclusion: HCV treatment with DAAs was well tolerated in KTR, with undetectable viral load by the end of therapy in all patients. This is an initial experience report but presents encouraging results for the kidney transplant population.

CITATION INFORMATION: Meinerz G, da Silva C, Bruno R, Keitel E, Garcia V. Single-Center Initial Experience in Treating Chronic Hepatitis C in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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