Oral conditions associated with hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in more than 170 million chronically infected patients with no developed preventive vaccine is a globally important issue. In addition to expected hepatic manifestations, a number of extrahepatic manifestations, such as mixed cryoglobulinemia, glomerulonephritis, polyarteritis nodosa, rashes, renal disease, neuropathy, and lymphoma, have been reported following HCV infection, which are believed to be influenced by the virus or the host immune response. HCV combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin might be associated with side effects as well. The association of HCV with special oral conditions has also been reported recurrently; the mechanism of most of which remains unclear. This article reviews the association of HCV infection with some of the oral conditions such as oral health, Sjogren's syndrome, lichen planus and oral cancer.

Prevalence of hepatitis C in lichen planus

Appraise the prevalence of hepatitis C in patients with lichen planus. This is a retrospective study concerning seventeen cases hospitalized for lichen planus between January 1992 December 2001. Hepatic check-up and anti HVC antibodies were searched in all patients. Cutaneous biopsy was systematic. Seventeen patients were hospitalized for lichen planus. The average age was 52.1 years [extreme between 12 years and 75 years]. Four had a positive hepatitis C serology so 23.5 percent of cases. Hepatic check-up was perturbed in three cases. Oral and erosive lesions were presents in here patients. The results of this retrospective study show a high prevalence of hepatitis C in lichen planus particularly with erosive oral lesions suggesting a relation ship between lichen planus and hepatitis C

Frequency of anti - HCV antibodies in patients with lichen planus

To determine the frequency of anti-HCV antibodies, identify risk factors associated with HCV infection and to screen asymptomatic carriers in patients with lichen planus. Design: A prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the out patient department of Dermatology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, from October, 1999 to September, 2001. Subjects and A total of 184 clinically diagnosed cases of lichen planus [LP] were selected for the study. Blood samples of all the patients were tested for anti hapatitis C virus antibodies [anti-HCV Ab]. Polymerase chain reaction for hapatitis C virus was done in patients with positive anti-HCV Ab. Transcutaneous liver biopsy was performed in 7 patients with positive HCV-RNA. The histopathological results were evaluated using validated Metavir and Knodell scoring systems. Out of 184 LP patients, 43 [23.4%] were anti-HCV antibodies positive. Females were predominantly affected and male to female ratio was 1:5.1. Maximum positivity for anti-HCV was observed in age group 31-40 years [39.53%] followed by 41-50 years [25.58%]. Eighty-one% patients had history of dental treatment and 63% had received multiple injections for various ailments. Forty% patients had family history of jaundice while 26% had jaundice in the past. Ten out of 16 anti-HCV antibody positive patients, checked for HCV-RNA, had high levels of virus in blood. Transcutaneous liver biopsy done in 7 patients revealed underlying liver disease at various stages. Four patients treated with a-interferon and ribazole therapy for liver disease, showed marked improvement in their skin disease. A high prevalence of HCV infection was detected in patients with lichen planus. Patients with lichen planus should be screened for HCV carrier state