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Lichen planus (LP) is an autoimmune, inflammatory skin disorder commonly associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) plays an important role in modulating the skin response to various internal or external injuries. In order to evaluate the effects of HCV on GGT pro-oxidative activities, we performed a comparative study between LP patients without viral infections and patients with asymptomatic HCV infection (HCV carriers). Our conclusion is that asymptomatic HCV infection induces a functional GGT deficiency, resulting in the alteration of the enzyme’s ability to reduce the toxic effects of free radicals, neutralize unstable oxygen species and prevent the oxidation of certain molecules in the infected tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Many epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies have sugested a possible role of infectious agents in the etiopathogenesis of lichen planus. In this paper, the authors performed a retrospective analysis for the presence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses in patients with lichen planus, between 2004-2016. Material & Method. The serological screening was realised for 157 patients with lichen planus in order to detect anti-HCV antibodies and HBs antigen. In the case of a positive result for anti-HCV antibodies, confirmatory tests were performed. Results. Among patients with lichen planus diagnosed based on clinical and histopathological aspects, it was found that 12 patients were infected with HCV (7.6%), 4 patients were infected with HBV (2.6%) and 1 patient with HBV/HCV coinfection (0.6%). Conclusions. Based on these results, the authors do not consider that hepatitis viruses play an essential role in the pathophysiology of lichen planus. However it should be noticed the high percentage of cases of HCV infection among these patients. Early identification and treatment of these infections in patients with lichen planus could influence in a positive way the course of the cutaneous disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]