PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) IN CUTANEOUS FORMS OF LICHEN PLANUS: PCR ASSISTED TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Lichen planus is a mucocutaneous disease characterized by a band• intlammatory infiltrate enriched in T lymphocytes, vacuolating degeneration of the basal epithelial layer and the presence of acidophilic bodies that may represent apoptotic keratinocytes.

Hepatitis C virus is a blood borne agent transmitted by apparent and inapparent parenteral procedures representing a frequent cause of liver disease worldwide. Both acute and chronic hepatitis C virus infection may affect hepatic and extrahepatic tissues.

Numerous extrahepatic disorders have been recognized m association with hepatitis C virus infection among which dermatological diseases occupy a central part. Lichen planus is one of the skin diseases frequently coexisted with hepatitis C virus infection.

The aim of this study is to determine if an association exists between hepatitis C virus infection and cutaneous lichen planus in Egyptian population. Forty patients with cutaneous lichen planus and a control group (age and gender -matched) of 40 healthy subjects. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and prevalence of lichen planus was detected in both groups.

Twenty four (60%) out of 40 patients with cutaneous lichen planus tested for hepatitis C virus were PCR positive, it was significantly higher than the 3 (7.5%) of the control group exhibited positive hepatitis C virus antigen