Role of Helicobacter Pylori in the Pathogenesis of Lichen Planus

Background: Lichen planus (LP) is a common, chronic inflammatory disease that affects the skin, nails, hair follicles and mucous membranes. The exact etiology of LP is unknown but triggering factors such as infections and stress has been suggested. Helicobacter pylori (H. Pylori) is a versatile organism exerting its effect through the production of urease, phospholipase, alcohol dehydrogenase, vacuolating cytotoxin, hemolysin, platelet activating factor, and mucolytic factor. Studies showed an asscociatian between H. Pylori and increasing number of dermatologic diseases including rosacea, chronic idiopathic urticaria, psoriasis, Behcet s disease, cutaneous B cell lymphoma, nodular prurigo, alopecia areata and Henoch-Schönlein purpura and LP. Objectives: Is to measure the levels of anti Helicobacter pylori antibodies in the blood of patients of LP to find if it has a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Methods: The study included 34 blood samples from patients with LP and 34 blood samples from apparently healthy subjects as controls. Anti H. Pylori antibodies (Ig G, Ig M and Ig A) were detected in all patients and control subjects using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Our results revealed a significant higher levels of Ig G and Ig M in patients rather than controls. Also serum levels of Ig A were higher in patients than controls but not statistically significant. However results detected no statistical significance regarding colonization of H. Pylori between patients and control subjects. Conclusion: This may implicate H. Pylori to have an immunological role rather than direct etiology.