Oral Lichen Planus: Novel Acquisitions in the Pathogenesis and Treatment

Abstract

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous disease of chronic inflammatory nature, commonly seen in dermatological and dental clinics; it is a relatively common disorder of stratified squamous epithelia, frequently exclusively involving the oral cavity. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is often asymptomatic, the atrophic-erosive form can cause symptoms ranging from burning sensation to severe pain, interfering with speaking, eating, and swallowing. Lichen planus is regarded as a premalignant lesion. This review discusses the role of hepatitis C virus (HCV), bacterial and fungal infection in LP. Analysing the seroprevalence of HCV infection in LP patients and patients with oral OLP in particular, which was the case in the vast majority of studies, the association varied from 0% to 62% and seemed to be connected to the high HCV seroprevalence in the general population. Candida albicans is present in about 37% of oral LP lesions. The aim of this review is to summarize what is new in the pathogenesis and treatment of OLP.