CUTANEOUS DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION

Abstract

Hepatitis C is a complex disease which represent a significant public health problem. The long-term outcome of HCV infection is difficult to predict as the virus may be eliminated or may persist to establish a chronic infection. HCV may l ead to extrahepatic manifestation including skin and mucosal disorders.

Lichen planus JS a maJor skin disease frequently associated with HCV infection, but other skin disorders such as psoriasis, urticaria may be linked to HCV.

This study aimed to determine the association between HCV infection and some dermatological diseases as this may modify their line of treatment,

This study was carried on 90 patients suffering from (lichen planus 30, psoriasis 30, urticaria 30) attending the out patients Dermatological clinic ofEl-Houd El-Marsoud hospital during the period from June 1999 to May 2000. And 90 controls including 60 patients with other skin disease attending El Houd El-Marsoud during same period, and 30 healthy individuals from the relative of patients, their ages ranged between 11 - 64 years and included 112 male and 68 females. All patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and routine estimation of liver enzymes as ALT and AST. Sera from patients and controls were separated and