Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and evaluation of hepatitis C virus genotypes in patients with lichen planus.
BACKGROUND
Several cases of lichen planus (LP) associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been described. The reported prevalence rates of anti-HCV in patients with LP show wide geographical variations. An association of HCV-associated disorders with certain HCV geno/subtypes has not been investigated so far.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to define the prevalence rate of anti-HCV in German patients with LP and to determine the distribution of HCV geno/subtypes.


METHODS
All patients with LP of the present study (n = 84) were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by an enzyme-immunoassay (second generation). HCV RNA was detected by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and HCV geno/subtyping was performed by the reverse hybridization assay. Serum samples of 87 patients with various cutaneous diseases excluding LP served as control group.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 13/84 patients with LP (16%), and 12/13 anti-HCV-positive patients were viraemic as assessed by the presence of HCV RNA. Most patients were infected with subtype HCV-1b (10/12 patients), while the 2 remaining patients were infected with HCV-2b and HCV-3a, respectively. In the control group, anti-HCV antibodies were only observed in 1/87 patients (1.1%), infected with subtype HCV-1b.


CONCLUSIONS
The statistically significant (p < 0.002) high prevalence of HCV RNA in patients with LP is suggestive of an aetiological role of HCV in the pathogenesis of LP. Compared to the geno/subtype distribution of patients with chronic hepatitis C without LP of the same geographical area, no convincing correlation between geno/subtype and the presence of LP was obtained.
Imhof
M
M
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
Popal
H
H
Lee
J H
JH
Zeuzem
S
S
Milbradt
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005076:Exanthema / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D005858:Germany; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014766:Viremia / Q000821:virology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral