Transplants

Green tea flavonoid may prevent reinfection with hepatitis C virus following liver transplantation

German researchers have determined that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)—a flavonoid found in green tea—inhibits the hepatitis C virus (HCV) from entering liver cells. Study findings available in the December issue of Hepatology, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, suggest that EGCG may offer an antiviral strategy to prevent HCV reinfection following liver transplantation.

Silibinin monotherapy prevents graft infection after orthotopic liver transplantation in a patient with chronic hepatitis C

  from Jules: many studies in the past few years conducted by Peter Ferenci have shown IV silibin to have significant antiviral efficacy against HCV (see link below).

Arizona has canceled lifesaving transplants for Vets

From: HCVets
Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 8:32 AM
To:
Subject: From HCVets.com Educational Website & Support Forums- IMPORTANT!

Hello, We asking for your help. Arizona (AZ) has canceled lifesaving transplants for Vets that receive medicaid. Not only Vets, but all patients currently on the transplant list were sent home to die.

When organ failure occurs... 90% of the patients have gone through their assets because of health care expense and depend on help from Medicaid for help.

Rock legend Gregg Allman gets new liver...

Rock and roll legend, Gregg Allman, is recovering after successfully undergoing liver transplant surgery this week in Florida. The 62 year-old picker and crooner was said to be "groggy but awake" following the Wednesday morning surgery. Gregg Allman, who was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2007, received his liver transplant operation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. He had been on a waitiing list for several years.

Hundreds of Donor Kidneys Tossed Away Each Year

Every year, hundreds of kidneys are thrown out because they may be infected with hepatitis C, but they could help many hepatitis C-infected patients waiting for a transplant, Johns Hopkins researchers report.

In fact, since 1995, more than 3,500 kidneys infected with hepatitis C were thrown away. Using hepatitis C-infected kidneys has been controversial, in part due to a 1 percent difference in one-year survival and a 2 percent difference in three-year survival among these patients, the researchers noted.