Title: ANTIBODIES TO EPITHELIAL COMPONENTS IN ORAL LICHEN
PLANUS (OLP) ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) INFECTION Oral
lichen planus (OLP) is a common chronic inflammatory disorder
sometimes associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. An
increased prevalence of autoimmune markers has been reported in
patients with HCV infection, The aim of the present study was to
determine, by conventional indirect immunofluorescence, the nature
and frequency of circulating antibodies to epithelial antigens in
the sera of HC?I-positive patients who also have OLP. The study
comprised four groups: 14 patients with OLP and T-ICV infection, 14
HCC-seronegative patients with OLP, 21 HCV-seropositive patients
without OLP and 18 healthy controls. We found a significant
association between the concomitance of OLP and HCV infection and
the presence of such antibodies. It is concluded that some patients
with HCV-associated OLP may have circulating antibodies to
epithelial antigens, although their precise aetiological role in
the development of this disease in HCV infection remains unknown.
Author: LODI G, EASTMAN DENT INST, DEPT ORAL MED, 256 GRAYS INN RD,
LONDON WC1X 8LD, ENGLAND Source: JOURNAL OF ORAL PATHOLOGY & MEDICINE 1997 JAN;26(1):36-39