[Lichen planus and hepatitis C virus. Apropos of 5 new cases]

Lichen planus is an immunologically mediated skin or mucous disease, which has recently been described in some patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver disease. We report 5 new cases of the association of hepatitis C with lichen planus, to be added to the 15 cases published in the literature. The sex ratio (female/male) was of 1.2. Lichen planus occurred more frequently in chronic active hepatitis (2/3 of cases) than in cirrhosis (1/3 of cases). Lichen planus manifestations were only mucous (30%), only cutaneous (40%) or both (30%). Mucous lesions were mainly observed in patients with cirrhosis (3/4 of cases). The onset of skin and hepatic manifestations was variable, with liver disease as the most frequent revealing symptom (60%). The influence of interferon remains unclear. However, it seemed to trigger more than to relieve lichen planus.