Recurrence of autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis and primary sclerosing cholangitis after liver transplantation

Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard therapeutic approach for the treatment of end-stage acute and chron- ic autoimmune liver disease as autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary scle- rosing cholangitis (PSC). Results of liver transplantation in these indications are good with a patient survival after LT at 5 years of 85%. However several series have reported a possible recurrence of primary autoimmune liver disease after liver transplantation. Concerning all these three autoim- mune liver diseases, recurrence of the disease on the graft may have multiple clinical, biochemical, histologi- cal and radiological expression influenced by different factors as the diagnostic methods used, the degree of immunosuppression and the genetic background of the recipient. We would like with this overview to describe the dif- ferent pattern of recurrence of these autoimmune liver disease, their potential influence on the liver graft and their therapeutic management.