DERMATOLOGICAL MANIFESTATIONS RELATED TO HEPATITIS-C VIRUS

The hepatitis C virus causes both hepatic and extrahepatic disorder, p articularly as regards dermatology. The link between essential mixed c ryoglobulinemias and the C virus infection has bee clearly evidenced, whereas its frequency seems low in other systemic vasculitis such as p olyarteritis nodosa. Similarly, the link between C virus hepatopathy a nd porphyria cutanea tarda is now proven. Lichen planus is also descri bed as being associated with this virus, but further epidemiological s tudies are required to determine the exact prevalence of lichen in C v irus hepatopathy cases. Finally, various cutaneous disorders, such as urticaria, erythema multiforme, dermo-hypodermitis, etc, occasionally arise during acute or chronic hepatitis C.