ABSTRACT
Lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of unknown etiology. Its association with liver diseases, particularly hepatitis C virus [HCV], has been widely approached since 1990 when serology for detection of HCV became available. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of lichen planus in patients infected with HCV attending the viral hepatitis clinic at Aljamahiriya hospital, Benghazi. Two hundred patients of hepatitis C infection and 100 individuals, served as a control group, were enrolled in this study and were assessed for the presence of Lichen planus. In addition the route of HCV transmission, viral genotype and duration of HCV infection were also assessed. Out of two hundred patients, 104 were females and 96 were males, with age range 15-80 years. One case of oral Lichen planus [0.5%] and one case of cutaneous Lichen planus [0.5%] were found compared to two cases [2%] and one case [1%] of cutaneous and oral Lichen planus found in the control group, respectively [p > 0.05]. The diagnosis of Lichen planus was confirmed with histopathology findings in all cases. The findings of the present study indicate that there is no association between oral and cutaneous Lichen planus and hepatitis C infection. Further studies are needed in a larger number of patients to determine the association betueen HCV virus infected patients and Lichen planus
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Lichen Planus/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Hepatitis D virus [HDV] infection is considered to be high in the Mediterranean basin. Data regarding this infection in Libyan population are scarce. The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of anti-HDV antibodies in hepatitis B virus [HBV] infected patients in Benghazi. The study population comprised one hundred thirty-eight patients with chronic HBV infection who were attending the liver clinic, Aljamahiriya Teaching Hospital, Benghazi. The diagnosis of HBV infection in those patients was based on repeatedly positive HBsAg in the serum with other laboratory and / or radiologic features of liver disease. All patients were tested for the presence of Anti-HDV IgM antibodies and Anti-HDV IgG antibodies using ELISA techniques. At the same time the level of HBV-DNA was measured using polymerase chain reaction [PCR] techniques for both Anti-HDV antibodies positive and negative patients. Fifteen patients were positive for anti-HDV IgG antibodies [10.8%] and none was positive for Anti-HDV IgM antibodies [0%]. The HBV-DNA levels were higher in HBV patients with Anti-HDV antibodies than in patients positive for Anti:HDV Anti- HDV antibodies [P=0.01]. HDV infection does not appear to be commonly prevalent in Libyan patients with HBV. In comparison to data from previous results from Mediterranean area, the seroprevalence of HDV in Libyan patients who were attending the liver clinic, Benghazi is considered to be intermediate