The prevalence of indices of hepatitis C and B infection, and elevated aminotransferase enzymes in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) in eastern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

To determine the possibility of any association between HBV, HCV, elevated aminotransferase enzymes and Oral Lichen Planus (OLP)patients in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Sera were collected from OLP patients, to be tested for HbsAg, anti-HCV and ALT/AST levels. All the patients who were diagnosed clinically in periodontal section, Dammam Central Hospital were from Eastern Saudi Arabia. The histopathological diagnosis was done in Histopathology Section, Dammam Regional Labs, the virological studies in the Virus Diagnosis Lab of Dammam Regional Labs and Blood Bank, and the aminotransferase tests done in the Dammam Central Hospital Labs. 34 serum specimens were collected from OLP patients, and 32 other samples from healthy populations of the same age and sex as the controls of the study. Incidence of HBsAg, anti-HCV, HBsAg+HCV, and elevated aminotransferase enzymes among OLP patients were 8.8%, 14.7%, 2.9%, and 47.05% respectively and the results from the control subjects were 6.25%, 3.12%, 0%, and 3.12% respectively. There is a significant association between OLP and HCV infection. No clear evidence of this relationship appeared with HBV. All the aminotransferase elevated samples were positive to HCV, giving a clear evidence of the association of chronic HCV infection with the OLP. Aminotransferase elevated results could be used as a clue to clinical signs of asymptomatic hepatopathies, and as a marker to check the OLP cases for the relevant Hepatic Viruses. Despite the limited number of OLP patients in this study, the results could highlight the problem in this geographical area of the world. We recommend a comprehensive study to be carried out using this current study as a preliminary one.