Oral manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection

• Published in: World journal of gastroenterology : WJG Vol. 20; no. 24; pp. 7534 - 7543
• Main Authors: Carrozzo, Marco, Scally, Kara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 28.06.2014
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - immunology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - virology; Hepacivirus - immunology; Hepacivirus - pathogenicity; Hepatitis; Hepatitis C - complications; Hepatitis C - diagnosis; Hepatitis C - immunology; Hepatitis C - virology; Humans; Lichen; Lichen Planus, Oral - immunology; Lichen Planus, Oral - virology; Mouth Diseases - diagnosis; Mouth Diseases - immunology; Mouth Diseases - virology; Mouth Neoplasms - immunology; Mouth Neoplasms - virology; Oral; planus; Risk Factors; Sialadenitis - immunology; Sialadenitis - virology; Sjogren's Syndrome - immunology; Sjogren's Syndrome - virology; Topic Highlight; virus; Oral lichen planus; Sialadenitis; Sjogren’s syndrome; Oral squamous cell carcinoma; Hepatitis C virus; Lichen planus
• ISSN: 1007-9327; 2219-2840
• DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i24.7534

Extrahepatic manifestations(EHMs)of hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection can affect a variety of organ systems with significant morbidity and mortality.Some of the most frequently reported EHM of HCV infection,involve the oral region predominantly or exclusively.Oral lichen planus(OLP)is a chronic inflammatory condition that is potentially malignant and represents cell-mediated reaction to a variety of extrinsic antigens,altered selfantigens,or super antigens.Robust epidemiological evidence support the link between OLP and HCV.As the virus may replicate in the oral mucosa and attract HCV-specific T lymphocytes,HCV may be implicated in OLP pathogenesis.Sj?gren syndrome(SjS)is an autoimmune exocrinopathy,characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes and a multitude of other systemic signs and symptoms.SjS patients have also an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Patients with chronic hepatitis C do frequently have histological signs of Sjgren-like sialadenitis with mild or even absent clinical symptoms.However,it is still unclear if HCV may cause a disease mimicking SjS or it is directly responsible for the development of SjS in a specific subset of patients.Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common oral malignant tumour and at least in some part of the world could be linked to HCV.