Chronic hepatitis ''C''; a dermatologic perspective

To find spectrum of various dermatological manifestations during hepatitis "C" virus infection in local population of hyderabad. This descriptive study was conducted in medicine department of Isra University Hospital Hyderabad from January 2011 to June 2012. A total of 325 anti-HCV positive patients were enrolled. All patients were subjected to detailed history, careful clinical examination of skin by a dermatologist to diagnose skin disease. All data was analyzed using statistical package SPSS 14.0. A total of 325 HCV positive patients [61% males and 39% females] were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 43 [SD+10 years], ranging from 15 to 78 years. About 41% had one or more dermatologic manifestations. Pruritis was the leading manifestation found in 11%, lichen planus [oral and cutaneous] was next to be found in 6.7% patients and hyperpigmentation in 5.2% patients. Urticaria [acute and chronic] was next counting in 5.23%. Jaundice, alopecia and vitiligo were seen in 4.9% each. Dry skin and interferon injection site erythema were observed in 4.6% patients each. Cutaneous vasculitis was noticed in 3.6% each, while photosensitivity, psoriasis and Raynaud's phenomenon were seen in 1.8%, 2.5%, 1.5% patients respectively. Dermatological manifestations are very common in patients with chronic HCV infection and when confronted with a suspected skin lesion, patient should be screened for it. Epidemiological studies are essential to determine the real prevalence of other dermatoses during course of HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus and hepatitis G virus infection in patients with chronic urticaria

In order to study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] and hepatitis G virus [HGV] infection in patients with chronic urticaria, 46 patients with chronic urticaria [25 females and 21 males with mean age of 36.2+10.9 years] were screened for HCV and HGV infection using PCR technique. None of the patients had a history of acute hepatitis. A control group composed of 50 apparently healthy subjects [age and sex matched and from the same geographical region] was included in the study. HCV RNA was detected in 13 out of 46 patients [28.2%] and in 7 out of 50 control subjects [14%], the difference was statistically significant P<0.05]. There was no difference in sex between the positive and negative HCV patients but positive patients were older and the duration of their urticaria was longer and had higher levels of liver enzymes in comparison to HCV negative patients. HGV RNA was detected in 5 out of 46 patients [10.8%] and in 5 out of 50 control subjects [10%], there was no statistical difference between the two results [P>0.05]. From the results of this study, it could be concluded that there is a significant association between HCV infection and chronic urticaria, and that HGV infection has no role in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria. Thus it is recommended to screen patients with chronic urticaria, especially the older ones with long duration of urticaria and with elevated liver enzymes, for HCV infection, in order to diagnose the disease early. This early diagnosis of HCV infection is important for early treatment