BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of renal transplantation from Hbs Ag-positive donors to Hbs Ag-negative recipients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients who underwent renal transplantation in our clinic between January 2006 and May 2014 were included in the study. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: Donor Hbs Ag (+) (n=26, Hbs Ab (–), Hbe Ag (–), Hbe Ab (+), Hbc Ig total (+) and HBV DNA (+), male/female (M/F): 16 (61.5%)/10 (38.5%), and Group 2: Donor Hbs Ag (–) (n=52, M/F: 41 (78.8%)/11 (21.2%). Hbs Ab levels were similar in recipients in both groups. Data were collected retrospectively. Analyses were performed by using SPSS 20.0 software, and patient and graft survival were measured by using Kaplan-Meier survival curve and compared by using the log-rank test.

RESULTS: Demographic data were similar in the 2 groups. The rate of acute Hepatitis B infection was significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 [n=3 (11.5%) vs. n=0 (0%), respectively, p=0.012]. Acute hepatitis B attacks were detected in vaccinated patients. Graft survival rates (groups 1 and 2, respectively; at 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th years: 95% vs. 96%, 95% vs. 94%, 85% vs. 88%, 85% vs. 82%, p=0.970) and patient survival rates (p=0.098), acute rejection rates (p=0.725), delayed graft function, chronic allograft dysfunction, new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT), cytomegalovirus infection, and the need for postoperative dialysis and plasmapheresis were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that the risk of developing acute hepatitis B was higher in patients renally transplanted from Hbs Ag (+) donors, but the other clinical outcomes were similar between groups.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Kidney Transplantation, Tissue Donors