LICHEN-PLANUS AND HEPATITIS-C

Lichen planus is associated with an increased prevalence of chronic he patitis. Three cases are reported in which acute (n=2) or chronic (n=1 ) cutaneous or mucous lichen planus was associated with positive serol ogic tests for the hepatitis C virus (ELISA and second-generation RIBA ). All three patients were women. The liver disease antedated the lich en planus in one patient with chronic post-hepatitis C cirrhosis and h epatocarcinoma, In the other two cases the lichen planus occurred firs t, A liver biopsy was done in two patients and showed a hepatocarcinom a in one-and inconclusive findings in the other. Lichen planus is amon g the dermatologic manifestations encountered in association with hepa titis C.