Oral lichen planus has a strong association with which infection?

• A. Hepatitis C infection
• B. HIV infection
• C. HBV infection
• D. HPV

Answer: (A)

Oral lichen planus is most consistently linked to hepatitis C infection. This chronic inflammatory mucocutaneous condition has been found more often in people with hepatitis C than in the general population, a relationship observed across multiple studies and supported by the idea that chronic HCV–driven immune activation can predispose to a T-cell–mediated attack on oral mucosa. Because of this association, clinicians often screen patients with oral lichen planus for hepatitis C. The other infections listed do not show as strong or consistent a link with oral lichen planus, so they are less likely to explain the condition.