Management of hepatitis C virus infection recurrence after liver transplantation: an overview

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the major indication for liver transplantation worldwide. Its recurrence is virtually universal. Once reinfection is established, progression to cirrhosis occurs in 25%-30% of recipients within 5 years. Several studies have attempted to identify the ideal antiviral treatment for liver transplant recipients. At present, the management of recurrent HCV infection in liver transplant recipients is based on widely accepted indications, which represent a reliable guide to identify the "ideal" candidate for therapy, when therapy should be started, and what is to be expected in terms of side effects and response to treatment.