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Hepatitis C virus infection and lichen planus: a short review
Author(s) -
Lodi G.,
Porter SR
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
oral diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.953
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1601-0825
pISSN - 1354-523X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1601-0825.1997.tb00016.x
Subject(s) - hepatitis c virus , medicine , virology , dermatology , lichen , hepatitis c , virus , immunology , biology , botany
OBJECTIVE: To review the current literature regarding the association of lichen planus (LP) and liver disease, with particular attention to the association of the oral variant of the disease with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Available literature of the possible association of LP with systemic disorders, in particular chronic hepatic disease, has been reviewed. RESULTS: LP is sometimes associated with infectious or autoimmune disease and/or neoplasia, however an aetio‐logical association between LP and these disorders seems unlikely. A more consistent association exists between LP and chronic hepatic disease. The precise cause of this association is not known. However, in the last 6 years a notable association between HCV infection and LP has been observed, particularly in patients in Spain, Italy and Japan. The pathogenesis of this possible HCV‐associated LP is not known, but it may involve a cell mediated response to an altered epithelial antigen. CONCLUSION: There is now evidence to suggest a significant association between HCV infection and LP in some groups of patients.