Lichen planus and HCV infection in Turkish patients
Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology, vol.15, no.3, pp.133-136, 2004 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 15 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2004
- Journal Name: Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.133-136
- Keywords: Epidemiology, Hepatitis C infection, Lichen planus, Turkey
- Ankara University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background/aims: A relation between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with lichen planus (LP) has been reported in the literature but remains controversial. To find out the prevalence of HVC infection among patients with LP. Methods: Forty-one cases of LP diagnosed at the Dermatology Clinic of our hospital between March 1995 and May 1996 were evaluated (22 men and 19 women; mean age 41.6 years). They were screened for the presence of HBsAg, anti HBs, and anti-HCV by ELISA and HCV-RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood donors registered in Ankara University İbni Sina Hospital Blood Bank were used as a control group. Results: Of the 41 LP patients, 2 (4.8%) had anti-HCV positivity together with HCV-RNA positivity. Twelve patients (29.2%) had anti-HBs and 3 patients (7.3%) had HBsAg positivity. In blood donors, anti-HCV positivity prevalence was 2.5%. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that no relationship exists between hepatitis C virus infection and lichen planus among Turkish patients.