Hepatitis B virus in Nigerians with lichen planus.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Lichen planus had been reported as one of the cutaneous manifestations of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) in the literature. The prevalence of HBV among Nigerians with lichen planus has not been documented in the literature despite the high prevalence of HBV in the community, and the reports of a possible relationship between lichen planus and HBV from this centre and from other regions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg amongst Nigerians with lichen planus.

METHOD: Sixty Nigerians with lichen planus (LP group) and 30 patients with other dermatoses not reportedly associated with HBV (control group A) and 30 apparently normal subjects (control group B) were screened for the presence of HBsAg by second generation ELISA.

RESULTS: Nine (15%) of the 60 LP group, 2 (6.2%) of the 30 control group A and 2 (6.2%) of the 30 control group B were HBsAg seropositive.

CONCLUSION: This study found a higher prevalence of HBsAg in patients with lichen planus when compared with patients with other cutaneous dermatoses and apparently normal individuals. Although a causal relationship between HBV has not been established from this study, this report reiterates the importance of screening patients with lichen planus for the presence of HBV and instituting therapy in those found positive.