[Hepatitis C virus RNA in the skin eruption from patients with prurigo and chronic hepatitis C].

Unlabelled: Hepatitis C virus RNA in the skin eruption from patients with prurigo and chronic hepatitis C. Since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 1989, many cutaneous disorders have been observed in patients suffering from chronic HCV infection. The relationship between HCV infection and cryoglobulinemia and porphyria cutanea tarda is clearly established, however, the link between HCV and other skin diseases is still controversial.

Aim: Two patients with intense pruritus and secondary prurigo in chronic C hepatitis have been presented.

Methods: The chronic hepatitis C of the patients were proved by elevated ALT and AST level, anti HCV (ELISA), HCV-PCR serological examination and liver biopsy. The skin lesions were accompanied by severe itching. According to clinical symptoms the patients suffered from prurigo simplex.

Results: HCV RNA in the skin specimen from the biopsy of the skin lesion was detected by RT PCR method, but the non affected skin specimen from the patients was HCV RNA negative.

Conclusions: This report is a case of prurigo simplex with chronic C hepatitis proving a direct relation between the HCV infection and prurigo.