Quantitative Detection Of Hepatitis B Virus DNA In Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem And Progenitor Cells As Well As Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Of Recipients After Liver Transplantation

Objective: HBV DNA content in bone marrow hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell(CD34~+ cells) as well as peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) of HBV-related recipients after liver transplantation were determined quantitatively in order to explore their origins and the mechanism of HBV graft reinfection and Hepatitis B(HB) recurrence.Methods: Blood and bone marrow specimens were taken simultaneously from 13 recipients who have been receiving lamivudine combined with HBIG prophylaxis after liver transplantation. HBV DNA in serum , PBMC and CD34~+cells was measured by Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(FQ-PCR) respectively. At the same time, HBV markers in serum were tested by ELISA. In addition, CD34~+cells were isolated from bone marrow specimens using Magnetic cell sorting and separation technique (MACS).Results: FQ-PCR confirmed the existence of HBV DNA in both the PBMC and the CD34~+cells from bone marrow in 13 of the 13 recipients, while HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg in serum can not be detected during a mean follow-up period of 37 months(16-77months) after liver transplantation . Conclusion: Those findings indicate the long-term persistence of HBV DNA...