Hepatitis C seropositivity in patients with acute and chronic urticaria

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with many dermatologic manifestations. Urticarial vasculitis and urticaria with mixed cryoglobulinemia are well known associations. Ordinary urticaria with short-lived wheals may also be one of the cutaneous signs of HCV infection. Objective To find out the prevalence of hepatitis C seropositivity in patients with acute and chronic urticaria. Patients and methods Forty eight consecutive patients (32 females and 16 males) with ages ranging from 12 to 60 years, presenting with acute or chronic urticaria were included in the study. Fifty age- and sex-matched controls were also included. All cases were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by the ELISA method. Other investigations included complete blood examination, liver function tests and hepatitis B surface antigen. An odds ratio of ≥2 was considered significant. Results Anti-HCV antibodies were positive in 6 patients (12.5%) and in 3 controls (6%). Hepatitis B surface antigen was positive in 2 patients (4.1%) both of whom were anti HCV negative. Odds ratio was calculated to be >2 which was statistically significant (p <0.05). Conclusion There is a statistically significant association between hepatitis C virus infection and acute and chronic urticaria in our population.