title: Frequency of HCV infection in different dermatological disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) has estimated affected nearly 3% of the world population. Studies in Pakistan have shown a somewhat higher prevalence. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with dermatological disorders, known to be associated with HCV infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive study, conducted at Departments of Dermatology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and PNS Shifa, Karachi from September 2003 to November 2005. There were 355 patients of the dermatologic disorders mentioned above. HCV status was determined by the presence of anti-HCV antibodies in the serum, by third generation ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study 14% of lichen planus, 8% of generalised pruritus, 7.8% of urticaria, 8.7% of prurigo, and 50% of porphyria cutanea tarda patients had underlying HCV infection. None of the patients of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, erythema multiforme or erythema nodosum had anti-HCV antibodies. No patient of mixed cryoglobulinaemia or polyarteritis nodosa was seen during the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients of lichen planus, generalised pruritus, urticaria, prurigo, and porphyria cutanea tarda have increased frequency of HCV infection compared to normal population of our country. In contrast, none of the patients of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, erythema multiforme or erythema nodosum had HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Karachi, Pakistan. atiya_rahman7@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Atiya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Syed Dilawar Abbas
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Rizvi
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Malir Cantt, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Zafar Iqbal
authors.initials: ZI
authors.lastname: Sheikh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000821:virology*