OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and histological characteristics of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) and the therapeutic effect of lamivudine.

METHODSBy retrospective analysis, 17 cases developed severe jaundice in 794 renal-transplanted recipients, and of them, FCH was clinically suggested in 11 and confirmed by liver biopsy in 6 cases.

RESULTSThe prevalence of chronic HBV infection in renal transplantation patients was 9.3%, of whom the FCH occurred in 22.9%. In 6 liver-biopsied cases, the onset was within 1.5-22 months. Two cases remitted who had early received lamivudine and 4 cases who were treated with the drug before transplantation did not develop the disease. All patients received large amounts of multiple immuno-suppressors after transplantation. About one fifth of HBV-infected cases gradually developed cholestatic hepatitis and some of them rapidly proceeded to hepatic failure. All had very high serum level of HBV DNA. The histology revealed unique lesion combination. The hepatocytes had widespread ballooning change and some ground-glass appearance. There were liver cytolysis and focal cell loss, bile stasis, periportal fibrosis, while only mild lymphocytic infiltration.

CONCLUSIONSFibrosing cholestatic hepatitis may happen following renal transplantation. Lamivudine has marked therapeutic effect for FCH.