The transmission of hepatitis B by renal transplantation.

A case of a renal transplant is reported with hepatitis B infection acquired directly from the cadaveric kidney of a previously unrecognized hepatitis B carrier. In retrospect, the recipient's serum became reactive for the virus 6 days postoperatively which was not recognized for ten weeks thereby placing at risk for secondary transmission almost 100 health care deliverers. Of interest, the other kidney from the same donor caused only antibody conversion in its recipient. This kidney was mechanically perfused prior to implantation while the infected recipient's transplant was cold stored.