Efficacy of splenectomy in preventing anemia in patients with recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation is not dependent on inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase genotype

Takashi Motomura; Erina Koga; Akinobu Taketomi; Takasuke Fukuhara; Yohei Mano; Jun Muto; Hideyuki Konishi; Takeo Toshima; Hideaki Uchiyama; Tomoharu Yoshizumi; Ken Shirabe; Yoshihiko Maehara

doi:10.1111/j.1872-034X.2011.00927.x

Efficacy of splenectomy in preventing anemia in patients with recurrent hepatitis C following liver transplantation is not dependent on inosine triphosphate pyrophosphatase genotype

Hepatol Res. 2012 Mar;42(3):288-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1872-034X.2011.00927.x. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Authors

Takashi Motomura¹, Erina Koga, Akinobu Taketomi, Takasuke Fukuhara, Yohei Mano, Jun Muto, Hideyuki Konishi, Takeo Toshima, Hideaki Uchiyama, Tomoharu Yoshizumi, Ken Shirabe, Yoshihiko Maehara

Affiliation

¹ Department of Surgery and Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

PMID: 22181672
DOI: 10.1111/j.1872-034X.2011.00927.x

Abstract

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.