title: Lichenoid reaction to hepatitis B vaccination.
abstract: Liver disease is now a well recognized association with lichen planus. Recent reports suggest that the hepatitis viruses may play a central role in this association. The present report describes a case of a lichenoid reaction to hepatitis B vaccination, which has only been rarely documented previously. A 16-year-old male developed a widespread pruritic erythematous eruption 5 weeks after receiving his second dose of hepatitis B vaccine. The eruption evolved to produce strikingly blue macules before spontaneously disappearing. A skin biopsy showed an intense lichenoid reaction. The hepatitis B surface antigen component of the vaccine is probably responsible for this reaction as well as for other rare immunologically mediated reactions to hepatitis B vaccination. These reactions may provide insight into the pathogenesis of the cutaneous features of natural hepatitis B infection.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre, Lidcombe Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Saywell
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Wittal
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kossard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines