Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is not associated with Mooren's ulcer.

AIM: To investigate the association between chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and Mooren's ulcer.

METHODS: Eight patients from different parts of China who were diagnosed with Mooren's ulcer at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Guangzhou (China) were screened for chronic HCV infection. Mooren's ulcer was diagnosed by the typical ulcer morphology, detailed case history, physical examination, and comprehensive laboratory tests. All patients had serological screening for HCV infection.

RESULTS: Six male and two female patients were enrolled in the study. Their ages ranged from 31 to 65 years (mean 43.6+/-13.7). None of them was reported to have any clinical evidence of chronic HCV infection before enrolment and all were negative for HCV serology.

CONCLUSION: There was no association between chronic HCV infection and Mooren's ulcer in this limited case series study.