Hepatitis Viruses and Lichen Planus

An association between viral infection and lichen planus (LP) was postulated long ago, but only recently has evidence been presented that incriminated the hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses. The importance of HBV has been documented by the Italian Group for Epidemiologic Studies in Derma- tology.1In a study of 577 newly diagnosed LP patients and 1008 control subjects, HBsAg-positive patients of any age and sex had at least double the risk of developing LP compared with HBsAg-negative patients.1Anecdotal reports of anti-HBV antibodies in LP patients, of LP eruption following HBV vaccination, and of the association of LP with hepatocarcinoma, an HBV/HCV-linked cancer, are additional evidence for such an association.2 In a series of 87 LP patients, 27 (31%) were found to be anti— HBV-positive.2 Infection with HCV has been investigated more recently.3In a series of 79 LP patients,421 (26%) were