Liver enzymes in Nigerians with lichen planus

Lichen planus has been reported in association with liver diseases. Clinical signs such as jaundice may not be reliable indicator of ongoing inflammation or the presence of an ongoing liver disease. Liver function test in spite of its variability may serve as amore reliable indicator of liver disease. The objective of this study is to assess the discriminant power of liver enzymes with lichen planus and control. Sixty Nigerians with lichen planus (LP group) and 30 patients with other dermatoses control group A) and 30 apparently normal individual (control group B) had their liver enzymes assayed using the automated Hitachi 70 auto-analyzer There was no a statistically significant difference in the level of liver enzymes between the LP group and controls Liver enzymes in Nigerian with lichen planus are generally within normal limits and are comparable to individuals without lichen planus. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice Vol. 11 (1) 2008: pp.64-6

Lichen planus and Hepatitis C: a case-control study

BACKGROUND: The association of lichen planus with hepatitis C (HCV) has been widely reported in the literature. However, there are wide geographical variations in the reported prevalence of HCV infection in patients with lichen planus. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of hepatitis C in Iranian patients with lichen planus at Razi hospital, Tehran. METHODS: During the years 1997 and 1998, 146 cases of lichen planus, 78 (53.1%) women and 69 (46.9%) men were diagnosed. They were diagnosed on the basis of the usual clinical features and, if necessary, typical histological findings. The patients were screened for the presence of anti-HCV antibodies by third generation ELISA and liver function tests. We used the results from screening of blood donors for anti HCV (carried out by Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization) for comparison as the control group. RESULTS: Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in seven cases (4.8%). This was significantly higher than that of the blood donors' antibodies (p < 0.001). The odds ratio was 50.37(21.45–112.24). A statistically significant association was demonstrated between erosive lichen planus and HCV infection. Liver function tests were not significantly different between HCV infected and non-infected patients. CONCLUSION: HCV apears to have an etiologic role for lichen planus in Iranian patients. On the other hand, liver function tests are not good screening means for HCV infection

PITYRIASIS VERSICOLOR – POSSIBLE GENETIC BASIS, PROBABLE TRANSITION FROM COMMENSALISM TO PARASITISM AND THE IMPLICATION ON TREATMENT APPROACH

Non-occurrence of Pityriasis versicolor (PV) in spouses of individuals with this superficial fungal infection despite several years of cohabitation suggests that heredity might play an important role in those affected. Forty subjects who were married were studied in two phases. The first phase involved using a detailed structured format to obtain information on the presence of PV in subjects, their spouses and siblings. In the second phase the family of an index case was studied over a 2-year period from a clinical and mycological aspect. Seventy percent of subjects interviewed in the first phase had at least one family member with PV. In the second phase, 4 other siblings of the index case studied all had PV. Of the 3 that were married (index case inclusive), 2 had PV but none of their spouses had. This study supports the role of heredity in individuals with PV. Keywords: Pityriasis versicolor, Hereditary, Treatment African Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Microbiology Jan 2004 Vol.5 No.1 139-14

Unusual malignant transformation of a scrotal ulcer developing from chronic pruritic eczema: a case report

The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol. 12(2) 2005: 44-4