TREATMENT OF ANTIBODY-MEDIATED REJECTION AFTER LIVER TRANSPLANTATION - A CASE SERIES

Objective\r\nTo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of antibody-mediated rejection after liver transplantation.\r\n\r\n\r\nMethods\r\nThe clinical data of 1 case of antibody-mediated rejection after liver transplantation were collected. The patient had autoimmune liver disease (de-compensated stage) and received a liver transplantation with ABO-compatible.Triple immunosuppressive regimen of tacrolimus + mycophenolate mofetil + prednisone was used after operation.The valley of tacrolimus concentration was maintained at 8-10 μg/L.One month after transplantation, the liver function recovered to normal.Alanine aminotransferase was 16 U/L, aspartate aminotransferase was 37 U/L and total bilirubin was 17.3 U/L.\r\n\r\n\r\nResults\r\nThree months after operation, the liver function index increased sharply (total bilirubin was 186.3 U/L). The first pathological examination of liver biopsy at 14th week after operation showed the histological findings of acute rejection.Combining the data of clinical features, steroid pulse therapy was given, but the effect was poor.The biopsy of the re-transplanted liver at 18th week after operation showed necrosis of minority hepatic cells and obvious attachment of lymphocytes in the central venous branch wall.Panel reactive antibodies test revealed that the HLA_II antibodies were intensively positive, suggesting the diagnosis of AMR.After treatment with plasma exchange and adjusting the immunosuppressant dosage, the function of the transplanted liver recovered gradually.\r\n\r\n\r\nConclusion\r\nFor liver transplantation with compatible blood type and recipient with autoimmune liver disease, we should alert the occurrence of acute AMR.Timely liver biopsy and PRA detection should be performed for definite diagnosis. Plasmapheresis is effective in treating acute AMR after liver transplantation.\r\n\r\n\r\nKey words: \r\nLiver transplantation; Graft rejection; Antibody-mediated; Diagnosis; Treatment