Occult HCV infection in liver transplanted patients: frequency and consequences.

Aim Of The Study: Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (OCI) is a potential source of relapse after liver transplantation with subsequent graft damage. The aim of the study was to detect OCI in patients with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) who achieved sustained virological response (SVR) after sofosbuvir-based antiviral treatment, and to detect risk factors associated with the development of OCI as well as to determine the effect of direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapy after liver transplantation.

Material And Methods: 41 patients with living donor liver transplantation who did not receive DAAs before with recurrent HCV infection who achieved a SVR with sofosbuvir-based therapy for 12-24 weeks were recruited.