Evaluation of clinical types of cutaneous lichen planus in anti-hepatitis C virus seronegative and seropositive Nigerian patients

BACKGROUND: The presentation of oral lichen planus in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) seropositive and seronegative patients was previously evaluated, and the keratotic form of oral lichen planus was found to be more prevalent in anti-HCV seropositive patients. This study evaluated the presentation of cutaneous lichen planus in anti-HCV seropositive and seronegative Nigerians. METHODS: Fifty-seven Nigerians with cutaneous lichen planus were carefully examined to determine the form of lichen planus present. All were screened for the presence of anti-HCV by second-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and grouped as anti-HCV seropositive or anti-HCV seronegative patients. RESULTS: Nine patients were anti-HCV positive. Seven of these seropositive patients had hypertrophic lichen planus. CONCLUSION: Hypertrophic lichen planus in Nigerians is more prevalent with HCV infection.