Association between hepatitis C virus infection and oral lichen planus in Israeli patients

Background: Oral lichen planus is a cell-mediated immune condition of unknown etiology. A possible association of OLP with hepatitis C virus infection has been documented in specific populations. However, no such possible association has been studied in Isreal. Objectives: To assess the prevalance of HCV antibodies among patients with OLP in Isreal. Methods: The prevalance of HCV seropositivity was studied in OLP patients (n = 62) and compared with that of a control group (n = 65) and with the prevalance among healthy volunteer blood donars (n = 225, 452) as representatives of the general population. Results: The prevalance of HCV, as detected by the presence of anti-HCV antibodies screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and confirmed by recombinant immunoblot assay, was 4.8%, 1.5% and 0.1%, respectively. HCV seropositivity in the OLP patients was significantly higher than in the healthy blood donars (P < 0.001). Conclusions: A possible association between OLP and HCV is suggested. Therefore, screening OLP patients for antibodies to HCV is recommended.