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Efficacy of splenectomy in preventing anemia in patients with recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation is not dependent on inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase genotype
Author(s) -
Motomura Takashi,
Koga Erina,
Taketomi Akinobu,
Fukuhara Takasuke,
Mano Yohei,
Muto Jun,
Konishi Hideyuki,
Toshima Takeo,
Uchiyama Hideaki,
Yoshizumi Tomoharu,
Shirabe Ken,
Maehara Yoshihiko
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2011.00927.x
Subject(s) - itpa , ribavirin , gastroenterology , medicine , anemia , transplantation , hepatitis c virus , liver transplantation , splenectomy , hepatitis c , genotype , cirrhosis , immunology , biology , spleen , virus , biochemistry , gene
Aim: A genetic polymorphism of inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase (ITPA) has been associated with pegylated‐interferon/ribavirin (PEG‐IFN/RBV)‐induced anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients. However, correlation of the genetic variant with anemia following liver transplantation has not been determined. Methods: Sixty‐three hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive patients who underwent liver transplantation and PEG‐IFN/RBV therapy were enrolled. The rs1127354 was determined for each individual. Results: There was no relationship with anemia or RBV dosage in patients carrying the CC allele (CC group, n = 43) and those carrying the CA allele (CA group, n = 20). The incidence of hemoglobin (Hb) decline >3 g/dL (CC: 4.7%, CA: 0%) was relatively low, whereas the incidence of Hb levels <10 g/dL (CC: 18.6%, CA: 30.0%) was high. Univariate analysis revealed that splenectomy inversely correlated with Hb levels <10 g/dL at 4 weeks ( P = 0.04). Among the 22 patients who did not undergo splenectomy, the incidence of Hb levels <10 g/dL tended to be lower in the seven patients carrying the CA allele (28.6%) than in the 15 patients with the CC allele (60.0%). Conclusion: The ITPA genetic polymorphism does not correlate with post‐transplant PEG‐IFN/RBV‐induced anemia. Splenectomy is useful in preventing anemia regardless of the ITPA genotype.