POSSIBLE ORAL MANIFESTATIONS IN HEPATITIS VIRUS C-INFECTED PATIENTS: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE LITERATURE

• Main Authors: Andrei Vasile OLTEANU, Gheorghe Gh. BĂLAN, Gabriela ŞTEFĂNESCU, Carmen SAVIN, Adriana BĂLAN
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academy of Romanian Scientists 2016-09-01
• Series: International Journal of Medical Dentistry
• Subjects: hepatitis; oral health; lichen planus; sialadenitis; extrahepatic manifestations
• Online Access: http://www.ijmd.ro/articole/487_01%20Andrei%20Vasile%20OLTEANU.pdf
• ISSN: 2066-6063; 2066-6063

Background: Chronic liver disease secondary to hepatitis virus C (HVC) infection still represents a worldwide health issue, mainly because of the chronic liver sequelae and of their systemic impact - especially in cirrhotic patients. Nevertheless, a variety of extrahepatic manifestations are associated with HVC infection, among which some also involving the oral cavity. The aim of the present literature assessment is to highlight such possible oral manifestations in patients with chronic HVC infection, given the scarce recent and current findings of the field. Among other systemic manifestations, two oral cavity conditions are mainly associated to recent studies with HVC infection: lichen planus and Sjögren-like Sialadenitis. HCV-infected patients may frequently suffer mildly clinically manifested Sjögren-like sialadenitis, however few significant data on lachrymal and salivary flow in such patients is available. Lichen planus of the oral cavity is considered significantly associated with HCV infection, especially in some geographical areas, otherwise independently on the level of endemism of HCV in the general population. Conclusions: Oral lichen planus and sialadenitis may be associated with HCV infection, the pathogenesis of both diseases being related to the virus-related immune response. Given the high global prevalence of HCV infection, a more thorough oral screening may help life quality improvement in a significant number of patients.