LICHEN-PLANUS AND HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

Cases associating lichen planus and hepatitis C are increasingly being reported. We observed three new cases, two males and one female aged 46, 63 and 56 years respectively. In all three cases, the lichen planu s was limited to the oral cavity with erosion in two cases. Hepatitis C was confirmed by 2nd generation ELISA. Two of the patients consulted for lichen planus during the recovery phase after hepatitis C. In the third patient, lichen planus preceded the hepatitis. These three case s are further evidence favouring the hypothesis of a non-fortuitous as sociation between lichen planus and hepatitis C. The hepatitis C virus might induce an immune reaction leading both to lichen planus and chr onic hepatitis.