Introduction: The replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy one through transplantation is widely regarded as the customary treatment for both acute and chronic liver failure. We aimed to find out whether HCV or HBV infections have an effect on survival after liver transplant. We did a retrospective analysis of the UNOS database; we classified liver transplant recipients according to their hepatitis viral status and compared the survival of the different groups. Methods: Data about all transplants performed all over the USA is maintained by United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) which includes data about transplants and registrations added from 2002 till 12/31/2013. Results: Our results showed that HCV patients have the worst prognosis. Patients with both HCV and HBV appear to have a similar prognosis to those with HCV. 5 year survival rates in HCV patients were 56%, while in HBV patients they were 72% (p<0.001), while in patients with no hepatitis they were 64% (p<0.001), while in patients having both HBV and HCV survival rates were 60% (p=0.426).In our study factors affecting survival rates by univariate and multivariate analysis appeared to be age, race, DM, total tumor diameter, largest tumor diameter, AFP level, MELD score and Hepatitis virus antigen status. Conclusion: Successful treatment of HBV in HCC patients before transplant has no effect on survival; meanwhile HCV patients have the worst prognosis, but HBV patients and patients with no active hepatitis infection have a better prognosis.

Key words: HCC; HBV; HCV; survival; liver transplants.