Quantifying changes in innate immune function following liver transplantation for chronic liver disease.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) offers patients with cirrhosis long-term survival, however many die from sepsis whilst awaiting LT. The liver's role in innate immunity may be key to improving outcomes, but the immune effects of LT have not been quantified.

Methods: Innate immune capacity was assessed by clearance of Tc-Albumin nanospheres in patients with chronic liver failure before and after LT.