Liver Transplant in a Patient with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Abstract

Objectives: Immunosuppressive treatment generally increases the severity of active infection. Therefore, liver transplant is contraindicated in the presence of active tuberculosis. Despite the importance of supportive treatment, liver transplant is the only treatment for fulminant hepatic failure.

Materials and Methods: We report a case of successful liver transplant for fulminant hepatic failure in the presence of active tuberculosis infection.

Results: We immediately performed a liver transplant from a live donor. The patient received low-dose immunosuppressive treatment and antituberculosis treatment. The patient was cured and discharged on the 25th day after surgery. We stopped antituberculosis treatment 10 months after discharge. The patient has been followed for 32 months after transplant with normal graft function and has been free of pulmonary tuberculosis infection.

Conclusions: Liver transplant can be performed in cirrhotic patients with active infections, such as tuberculosis, as a life-saving procedure.