Biliary drainage as treatment for allograft steatosis following liver transplantation for PFIC-1 disease: A single-center experience

Internal biliary diversion using appendix during liver transplantation for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1: A case report

BACKGROUND

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC-1) is a genetic cholestatic disease causing end-stage liver disease, which needs liver transplantation (LT). Simultaneous biliary diversion (BD) was recommended to prevent allograft steatosis after transplantation, while increasing the risk of infection. Here, an attempt was made to perform BD using appendix to prevent bacterial translocation after LT.

CASE SUMMARY

An 11-month-old boy diagnosed with PFIC-1 received ABO compatible living donor LT due to refractory jaundice and pruritus. His mother donated her left lateral segment with a graft-to-recipient weight ratio of 2.9%. Internal BD was constructed during LT using the appendix by connecting its proximal end with the intrahepatic biliary duct and the distal end with colon. Biliary leakage was suspected on the 5^th day after transplantation and exploratory laparotomy indicated biliary leakage at the cutting surface of liver. The liver function returned to normal on the 9^th day post-operation and maintained normal during the 15-month follow-up. Cholangiography at 10 months after transplantation confirmed the direct secretion of bile into colon. Computerized tomography scan (4 months and 10 months) and liver biopsy (10 months) indicated no steatosis in the allograft. No complaint of recurrent diarrhea, infection or growth retardation was reported during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Internal BD using appendix during LT is effective in preventing allograft steatosis and post-transplant infection in PFIC-1 recipients.

Outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis

BACKGROUND

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a heterogenous group of inherited hepatocellular disorders and the clinical aspects, role of liver transplantation (LT), and its outcomes remain largely unelucidated. We present our data of LT for each type of PFIC and compare their early, and long-term outcomes, highlighting their individual differences and management strategies.

METHODS

Prospectively collected data over a decade (2011-2022) of children with PFIC who underwent LT was analyzed. The groups (PFIC 1-4) were compared with regard to early and long-term outcomes including attainment of catch-up growth.

RESULTS

Of 60 children with PFIC who underwent LT, 13, 11, 31 & 5 were of PFIC 1, 2, 3 & 4, respectively. There were no significant differences in gender, PELD scores, BMI, type of grafts, cold and warm ischemia times, intraoperative blood loss, and morbidity among the groups. Post-LT chronic diarrhea was observed in 6 (46.1%) children with PFIC-I, and of them, 3 (23%) developed graft steatohepatitis. Three of these children underwent total internal biliary diversion (TIBD) and on 1-year follow-up, their graft steatosis resolved and they attained catch-up growth. Catch-up growth was significantly poorer in the PFIC1 group (44.4% vs. 88%, 90%, 100% p < .001). Overall 1- and 5-year patient survival of the four PFIC groups (1-4) were 69.2%, 81.8%, 96.8%, 100% & 69.2%, 81.8%, 96.8%, 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Ours is the largest to-date series of LT for PFIC illustrating their short- and long-term outcomes. While the results for the whole cohort were excellent, those after LT for PFIC1 was relatively poorer as reflected by catch-up growth, graft steatosis, and post-LT diarrhea, which can be optimized by the addition of TIBD during LT.

Management and outcomes after liver transplantation for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a heterogeneous rare congenital cholestatic liver disease. Disease progression might necessitate liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of PFIC1-4 patients after LT.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched to identify studies on PFIC and LT. Patients were categorized according to PFIC type, genotype, graft type, age at LT, time of follow-up, and complications and treatment during follow-up.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine studies with 507 patients met inclusion criteria; most patients were classified as PFIC1-3. The median age at LT was 50 months. The overall 5-year patient survival was 98.5%. PFIC1 patients with diarrhea after LT were at significant risk of developing graft steatosis ( p < 0.0001). Meta-analysis showed an efficacy of 100% [95% CI: 73.9%-100%] for surgical biliary diversion to ameliorate steatosis and 94.9% [95% CI: 53.7%-100%] to improve diarrhea (n = 8). PFIC2 patients with bile salt export pump (BSEP)2 or BSEP3-genotype were at significant risk of developing antibody-induced BSEP deficiency (AIBD) ( p < 0.0001), which was reported in 16.2% of patients at a median of 36.5 months after LT. Meta-analysis showed an efficacy of 81.1% [95% CI: 47.5%-100%] for rituximab-based treatment regimens to improve AIBD (n = 18). HCC was detected in 3.6% of PFIC2 and 13.8% of PFIC4 patients at LT.

CONCLUSIONS

Fifty percent of PFIC1 patients develop diarrhea and steatosis after LT. Biliary diversion can protect the graft from injury. PFIC2 patients with BSEP2 and BSEP3 genotypes are at significant risk of developing AIBD, and rituximab-based treatment regimens effectively improve AIBD. PFIC3 patients have no PFIC-specific complications following LT.

Optimal liver transplant procedure in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 treated with biliary diversion or intestinal transplantation: Lessons learned from three cases treated with different approaches

BACKGROUND

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC1) is an autosomal recessive cholestatic liver disorder caused by ATP8B1 gene mutations. Although liver transplantation (LT) is indicated for progressive liver disease, postoperative complications, including severe diarrhea and graft steatohepatitis leading to graft loss, have been reported.

CASES

The first patient had jaundice, pruritus, diarrhea, and growth retardation (weight z-score: -2.5; height z-score: -3.7). She underwent LT with total internal biliary diversion (TIBD) to the colon at 2 years of age. Graft biopsy at the 7-year follow-up examination revealed microvesicular steatosis (60%). Her diarrhea improved, and her growth failure was recovering (weight z-score: -1.0; height z-score: -1.7). The second patient underwent sequential intestine-liver transplantation at 8 years of age due to end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and short bowel syndrome caused by massive bowel resection for internal hernia after partial external biliary diversion (PEBD) at 21 months of age. She developed severe pancreatitis induced by steroid-bolus therapy for rejection after transplantation. She died 1.7 years after intestinal transplantation due to an uncontrollable pancreatic abscess and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The third patient underwent PEBD at 15 months of age and received LT with TEBD at 15 years of age due to ESLD with hepatic encephalopathy. Throughout the perioperative period, she showed no abdominal symptoms, including diarrhea and pancreatitis. Graft biopsy at the 2-year follow-up examination revealed macrovesicular steatosis (60%) with inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The patients showed different outcomes. Effective therapeutic options to mitigate post-LT complications in patients with PFIC1 must be considered individually.

Internal Ileal Diversion as Treatment for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis Type 1-Associated Graft Inflammation and Steatosis after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic cholestasis type I (PFIC1) is a rare congenital hepatopathy causing cholestasis with progressive liver disease. Surgical interruption of the enterohepatic circulation, e.g., surgical biliary diversion (SBD) can slow down development of liver cirrhosis. Eventually, end stage liver disease necessitates liver transplantation (LT). PFIC1 patients might develop diarrhea, graft steatosis and inflammation after LT. SBD after LT was shown to be effective in the alleviation of liver steatosis and graft injury.

CASE REPORT

Three PFIC1 patients received LT at the ages of two, two and a half and five years. Shortly after LT diarrhea and graft steatosis was recognized, SBD to the terminal ileum was opted to prevent risk for ascending cholangitis. After SBD, inflammation and steatosis was found to be reduced to resolved, as seen by liver biochemistry and ultrasounds. Diarrhea was reported unchanged.

CONCLUSION

We present three PFIC1 cases for whom SBD to the terminal ileum successfully helped to resolve graft inflammation and steatosis.

Long-Term Results of Pediatric Liver Transplantation for Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

We analyzed the long-term survival rate and development of progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) patients after liver transplantation (LT). From October 2007 to May 2019, 41 patients were diagnosed as PFIC (type I-III) and received LT in Ren Ji Hospital due to end-stage liver diseases. The median age at LT was 2.93 years, with 75.6% of patients receiving living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The 5- and 10-year patient survival rates after LT were 92.7% and 92.7%, respectively, and no difference was found among the three subtypes of PFIC. Two PFIC type II patients received re-transplantation due to vascular complications. Liver function and bile acid metabolism returned to normal levels in all living recipients. Catch-up growth was recorded as the height and weight Z scores increased from −2.53 and −1.54 to −0.55 and −0.27 with a median follow-up time of 5.55 years. Improved psychomotor ability and age-appropriate study ability was also observed. A total of 72.4% of school-aged recipients exhibited average academic performance. Diarrhea was reported in all PFIC type I recipients but resolved after resin absorptive treatment. However, allograft steatosis occurred in one PFIC type I patient and exhibited a “remission–relapse circle” under the treatment of cholestyramine. In conclusion, LT is an effective treatment for end-stage PFIC patients with encouraging long-term survival rate and development. However, allograft steatosis should be closely monitored in PFIC type I patients even if diarrhea has been well treated.

Overview of Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

Bile acid transport is a complex physiologic process, of which disruption at any step can lead to progressive intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). The first described PFIC disorders were originally named as such before identification of a genetic cause. However, advances in clinical molecular genetics have led to the identification of additional disorders that can cause these monogenic inherited cholestasis syndromes, and they are now increasingly referred to by the affected protein causing disease. The list of PFIC disorders is expected to grow as more causative genes are discovered. Here forth, we present a comprehensive overview of known PFIC disorders.

Ileal Bile Acid Transporter Inhibition Reduces Post-Transplant Diarrhea and Growth Failure in FIC1 Disease—A Case Report

Familial intrahepatic cholestasis 1 (FIC1) disease is a genetic disorder characterized by hepatic and gastrointestinal disease due to ATP8B1 deficiency, often requiring liver transplantation (LT). Extrahepatic symptoms, such as diarrhea, malabsorption, and failure to thrive, do not improve and instead may be aggravated after LT. We describe a patient with FIC1 disease who underwent LT at 2 years, 8 months of age. After LT, the child developed severe refractory diarrhea and failed to thrive. The response to bile acid resins was unsatisfactory, and the parents declined our recommendation for partial external biliary diversion (PEBD). Quality of life was extremely impaired, especially due to severe diarrhea, making school attendance impossible. Attempting to reduce the total bile acids, we initiated off-label use of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor Elobixibat (Goofice^™), later converted to Odevixibat (Bylvay^™). After six months of treatment, the patient showed less stool output, increased weight and height, and improved physical energy levels. The child could now pursue higher undergraduate education. In our patient with FIC1 disease, the use of IBAT inhibitors was effective in treating chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive. This approach is novel; further investigations are needed to clarify the exact mode of action in this condition.

Recent updates on progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis types 1, 2 and 3: Outcome and therapeutic strategies

Recent evidence points towards the role of genotype to understand the phenotype, predict the natural course and long term outcome of patients with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC). Expanded role of the heterozygous transporter defects presenting late needs to be suspected and identified. Treatment of pruritus, nutritional rehabilitation, prevention of fibrosis progression and liver transplantation (LT) in those with end stage liver disease form the crux of the treatment. LT in PFIC has its own unique issues like high rates of intractable diarrhoea, growth failure; steatohepatitis and graft failure in PFIC1 and antibody-mediated bile salt export pump deficiency in PFIC2. Drugs inhibiting apical sodium-dependent bile transporter and adenovirus-associated vector mediated gene therapy hold promise for future.

Total Internal Biliary Diversion for Post-Liver Transplant PFIC-1-Related Allograft Injury

Steatohepatitis and diarrhea are well-known complications in children undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) type 1. Despite medical management with bile acid binders, the condition is progressive and can be associated with allograft loss. We report the case of a seven-year-old boy who underwent LT at the age of 2 years for PFIC type 1. Over the next five years, he developed refractory diarrhea, emaciation, worsening liver function, and steatohepatitis. Aiming to interrupt the enterohepatic circulation, at the age of 7 years, he underwent a total internal biliary diversion. The patient's postprocedure period was uneventful. His diarrhea settled and the transaminases normalized his follow-up liver biopsy after a year showed a complete resolution of steatohepatitis. At 18 months' follow-up, he has gained weight and remains asymptomatic. In this report, we show post-LT complications especially allograft injury related to the pathology of PFIC-1 can be safely and effectively managed by performing a total internal biliary diversion.

Long-term liver transplant outcomes for progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1: The Pittsburgh experience

BACKGROUND

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 1 (PFIC1) arises from biallelic variants in the ATP8B1 gene that annul FIC1 activity, resulting in progressive liver disease. Liver transplant (LT) is indicated in refractory disease; however, post-LT complications including worsening diarrhea and steatohepatitis progressing to fibrosis with graft loss have been reported. We aim to describe long-term outcomes of PFIC1 LT recipients at our center, focusing on the histological changes of the allografts.

METHODS

We assessed 7 PFIC1 patients post-LT at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). All pre-transplant, explant, and sequential post-transplant pathology samples were reviewed. Continuous data are presented as the mean ± SD. We compared the pre- and post-transplant height and weight z-scores using Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

Seven (29% male) patients with PFIC1 received a LT (n = 6) or had post-LT care (n = 1) at CHP. Six had confirmed or suspected identical genetic. At a mean follow-up of 10.9 years, both patient survival and graft survival were 100%. Diarrhea persisted (n = 3) or newly developed (n = 4) in all patients after LT contributing to ongoing growth failure, with mean z-scores -2.63 (weight) and -2.98 (height) at follow-up. Histologically, allograft steatosis was common but was not accompanied by significant inflammation, ballooning, or fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

We show that extrahepatic disease persists and near-universal allograft steatosis occurs. However, at a mean follow-up period of over 10 years, no patients developed steatohepatitis or significant fibrosis, and both patient survival and graft survival are excellent.

A Report of 2 Infant Siblings with Progressive Intrahepatic Familial Cholestasis Type 1 and a Novel Homozygous Mutation in the ATP8B1 Gene Treated with Partial External Biliary Diversion and Liver Transplant

Case series

Patients: Male • Male / (siblings)

Final Diagnosis: Progressive intrahepatic familial cholestasis type 1 (PFIC-1)

Symptoms: Jaundice

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Transplantology

Changes in plasma bile acid profiles after partial internal biliary diversion in PFIC2 patients

Background

We ask if plasma bile acid profiles can be used to monitor the effectiveness of partial internal biliary diversion (PIBD) for treating uncontrolled cholestasis in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2) patients.

Methods

Plasma bile acids were profiled in 3 cases of ATP-binding cassette, sub-family B member 11 (ABCB11)-mutated PFIC2 children before and after PIBD compared to healthy controls and 8 PFIC2 patients. The quantitation of bile acids was performed by reversed-phase ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography/multiple-reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MRM-MS) with negative ion detection.

Results

Before PIBD, all three patients presented with >50-fold higher levels of total plasma bile acids, 2-7 folds higher ratios of taurine: glycine conjugated primary bile acids, and unchanged secondary bile acids levels compared to healthy controls. After PIBD, only one of the three patients (P3) showed relief of cholestasis. The bile acid profiles of the two nonresponding patients showed little change while that of the responding patient showed a 5-fold reduction in total plasma primary bile acids, a reduced taurine: glycine conjugate ratio, and an unexpected 26- and 12-fold increase in secondary bile acids DCA and LCA respectively. One year later, the responder suffered a recurrence of cholestasis, and the bile acid profile shifted back to a more pre-PIBD-like profile.

Conclusions

Plasma bile acid profiles may potentially be useful as sensitive biomarkers for monitoring the clinical course of PIBD patients. Relief of cholestasis after PIBD appears to be associated with significantly increased circulating toxic secondary bile acids and this may limit the utility of PIBD in PFIC2 patients in the long run.