title: [Lichen planus and hepatitis C virus. Is there an association?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The etiology of lichen planus (LP) is unknown. The possible role of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been studied with controversial results.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in 36 patients with lichen planus (LP) confirmed by histopathology, 12 in a retrospective way, and 24 in a prospective one. The controls were 60 consecutive blood donors from the Blood Bank of the hospital. Third generation enzyme immunoassay screening test was employed for determination of antibodies against HCV.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A prevalence of HCV infection of 2.77% in LP patients, and 0% in control group (Fisher's exact test--p=0.375).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found in our patients with LP a lower prevalence of positive serology for HCV than that reported in the literature. Since all studies have found patients with LP without infection by HCV, we think that other factors in the pathogenesis of this dermatosis need to be studied.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Dermatologia del Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, Tlalpan, México DF.
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luis-Montoya
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortés-Franco
authors.forename: María Elisa
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Vega-Memije
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008010:Lichen Planus / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies