Lichen planus associated with viral hepatitis C: clinical case.

Lichen planus (LP) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the skin, nails, and mucous membranes. Its etiology remains unknown, but there are several well-recognized trigger factors, including viral and bacterial antigens, as well as drugs and metals. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the highest among patients with LP. It has been suggested that HCV may contribute to the development of LP, but the relationship between the two is not fully understood. It is still controversial whether HCV leads to LP directly through replication within infected cells or indirectly through the activation of immunological mechanisms. Molecular studies have identified HCV RNA in samples from patients with LP. An autoimmune theory has also been proposed, given that several studies have identified viral replication and activation of the immune response associated with the synthesis of autoantibodies.

We present a clinical case of a rare morphological form of LP against the background of HCV, clearly illustrating the relationship between these diseases.

The study of the relationship between LP and HCV is necessary to understand the pathogenesis of LP, since this dermatosis is an urgent problem in modern dermato-venerology. Apparently, skin lesions result from an immune response to viral components and are not a direct result of HCV.