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- Title
Erythema dyschromicum perstans and hepatitis C virus infection.
- Authors
Kontochristopoulos, George J.; Aroni, Kyriaki; Anagnostopoulos, George; Nakopoulou, Lydia; Tassopoulos, Nicholas C.
- Abstract
A 48-year-old woman with a 10-month history of widespread, hyperpigmented, slightly pruritic macules, with a red border, involving the trunk and the proximal limbs (Fig. 1) was referred to our outpatient department. The oral mucosa, palms, soles, scalp, and nails were normal. Laboratory tests showed elevated liver enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 68 IU/L (normal value, < 40 IU/L); aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 41 IU/L (normal value, < 40 IU/L)], the presence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and HCV RNA (Amplicor Roche). In addition, cryoglobulinemia type III (IgMκ,λ, IgGκ,λ) was detected with a high cryocrit value, and there was detectable C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor, and a low titer of antinuclear antibodies (1 : 80). A percutaneous liver biopsy showed changes compatible with mild chronic hepatitis (grade, 6; stage, 0). The possible source of infection was unknown, as the patient had no history of parenteral transmission (e.g. blood transfusions, intravenous illicit drug use). A skin biopsy specimen from the active border of a lesion showed hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, and hydropic degeneration of the basal cell layer, with the formation of colloid bodies in the epidermis. A moderate perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with melanophages and free melanin granules was observed in the upper dermis (Fig. 2). Immunostaining of paraffin-embedded tissue sections with the TORDJT-22 IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody to HCV (Biogenex, Son Ramon, USA), which is specific for the nonstructural region of HCV (NS3-NSH, C100 antigen) using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex (ABC) as well as the alkaline phosphatase antialkaline phosphatase (APAAP) methods, failed to detect HCV in the lesion of erythema dyschromicum perstans (EDP) (Nakopoulou L, Manolaki N, Lazaris A et al. Tissue immunodetection of C100 hepatitis C virus antigen in major thalassemic...
- Subjects
ERYTHEMA; HEPATITIS C; SKIN diseases
- Publication
International Journal of Dermatology, 2001, Vol 40, Issue 5, p346
- ISSN
0011-9059
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1365-4362.2001.01196-2.x