Liver transplantation for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) infection in a liver transplantation candidate is not rare in China. There is little experience on how to manage the pre-existing TB infection in liver transplantation recipients. Aim. Patients with pre-existing pulmonary TB who received liver transplantation are described and the perioperative treatment is discussed.
Methods: The treatment of 3 patients with pre-existing pulmonary TB infection who received liver transplantation was reviewed.
Results: The patients were given nonstandard antituberculous therapy according to their reaction to the drugs. No evidence of TB infection relapse was discovered.
Conclusion: Pre-existing TB infection should not be an absolute contraindication to orthotopic liver transplantation. The use of second-line antituberculous therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of TB infection in liver transplantation recipients.