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 Israel. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of HCV antibodies among patients with OLP in Israel. Methods: The prevalence of HCV seropositivity was studied in OLP patients (n=62) and compared with that of a control group (n=65) and with the prevalence among healthy volunteer blood donors (n=225,452) as representatives of the general population. Results: The prevalence 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 donors (P< 0.001). Conclusions: A possible association between OLP and HCV is suggested. Therefore, screening OLP patients for antibodies to HCV is recommended.