title: Histopathological aspects in autoimmune cutaneous manifestations associated with hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: Autoimmunity is characterized by activation of the immune system that attacks and destroys wrongly, the body's own structures. All body tissues can be affected (erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets, blood vessels, muscle tissue, endocrine system, and other), including the skin. Autoimmune diseases have an increased frequency in women, especially in adulthood, and they are associated with hereditary factors. Although the etiology of autoimmune diseases is incompletely elucidated, there is an association between chronic infection with hepatitis C and autoimmunity, association highlighted and well documented in clinical studies. Other viral infections do not have the same connotation in the context of autoimmunity, but it is recognized that they are an important triggering factor in the pathophysiological mechanism. The cases associating chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon and ribavirin, with multiple autoimmune diseases substrate, raising the discussion of a possible pathophysiological correlation between them.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Clinic of Dermatovenereology, "St. Spiridon" Emergency Hospital, Iassy, Romania; dan.vata@umfiasi.ro.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stătescu
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: VâŢă
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ciobanu
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gheucă Solovăstru
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rotaru
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*