Psoriasis and hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus antibody [HCV-Ab] was assessed in 30 patients with psoriasis using the enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. Liver function tests were done for all patients [30 patients] and normal controls [60 persons]. Liver enzymes [ALT, AST and ALP] were significantly increased in psoriatic patients when compared to the controls. Hepatitis C virus antibody was positive in eleven psoriatic patients, while it was positive only in nine persons of the normal controls. It was concluded that HCV may have a role in the pathogenesis in a subgroup of psoriatic patients