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The rise of the opioid epidemic and hepatitis C–positive organs: A new era in liver transplantation

The use of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐positive organs in liver transplantation (LT) has increased in the era of direct‐acting antiviral therapy. A rising demand for organs, the increased ability to effectively treat HCV infection in the transplant setting, and an unprecedented increase in HCV‐positive donors have all contributed to this trend. A recent abrupt rise in opioid use in the United States has resulted in a surge of injection drug use, transmission of HCV, and opioid‐related overdose deaths. Geographical areas most affected by the opioid epidemic have experienced a rapid increase in recovery and utilization of HCV‐positive donor organs, in which the proportion of deceased donor LTs in the United States from donors who are HCV positive has increased nearly 2‐fold within the last 3 years. The prospect of expanding the organ donor pool with HCV‐positive donors and achieving acceptable posttransplant outcomes has generated much interest in the areas of liver, kidney, and thoracic transplantation, including the potential for transplanting organs from HCV positive donors into HCV‐negative recipients. Developing strategies to ensure appropriate selection of potential recipients of HCV‐positive organs, initiating timely antiviral therapy, and defining associated risks will be critical in achieving optimal posttransplant outcomes in this setting. (Hepatology 2018;67:1600‐1608).