Biopsy Specimens From Allograft Liver Contain Histologic Features of Hepatitis C Virus Infection After Virus Eradication

In a retrospective analysis of allograft liver biopsy specimens from patients who achieved SVR after a liver transplant for chronic HCV infection, histologic changes associated with active HCV were present in 69% and fibrosis continued to progress in 23%, despite the lack of detection of HCV RNA. Pathologists should be aware of patients' SVR status when analyzing liver biopsy specimens to avoid diagnoses of chronic HCV-associated hepatitis. Because of the persistent inflammatory activity and fibrosis after SVR, clinicians should continue to monitor patients carefully after SVR to anti-HCV therapy.