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

ABSTRACT

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