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Objectives Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a debilitating disease that is lately treated using direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). Changes in the oral microbiome were detected in other liver diseases; however, oral microbiome was never investigated in patients having chronic HCV infection, whether pre‐ or post‐treatment. Materials and Methods This case–control preliminary study enrolled three equal groups: Group (I): untreated HCV patients; group (II): HCV patients who achieved viral clearance after DAA administration; and group (III): healthy controls. For each participant, a buccal swab was harvested and its 16S rRNA was sequenced. Results The oral microbiome of chronic HCV patients had a significantly distinct bacterial community compared to healthy controls, characterized by high diversity and abundance of certain pathogenic species. These changes resemble that of oral lichen planus patients. After treatment by DAAs, the oral microbiome shifted to a community with partial similarity to both the diseased and the healthy ones. Conclusions Chronic HCV is associated with dysbiotic oral microbiome having abundant pathogenic bacteria. With HCV clearance by DAAs, the oral microbiome shifts to approach the healthy composition.

Objectives: Oral ulceration forms a major category of oral lesions. Due to its effect on the quality of life, the patients seek treatment using various substances. This study investigated the types of treatments used by a sample of patients having all types of oral ulcers and its positive and negative effects on the patients' lives. Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients having different types of oral ulcers. Participants provided information about their previous treatments, the source of recommendation of its use and side effects linked to them. They filled the oral health impact profile-14 questionnaire to report the change in their quality of life after treatment. The patients' educational and social levels were tested as predictors for the use of non-conventional treatments. Results: Correct pharmaceutical treatments were administered y 34% of the participants; the most effective of which were systemic and topical steroids by ulcerative oral lichen planus patients; and vitamin supplements in recurrent aphthous stomatitis patients. The majority (64.2%) of the previously treated patients used non-conventional treatments, the most widely used of which was Tahini. Half of the patients using non-conventional treatments suffered side effects. The source of information of the self-medication was attributed mainly to the patients themselves, followed by friends and family members. Conclusion: This study reflects the widely spread habit of self-medication in our sample of patients having oral ulcers. It highlights the negative influence of these remedies.

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Oral lichen planus is a chronic inflammatory disease that targets adults. Over the years, few reports documented solitary cases of children being affected by oral lichen planus. In this report, a case of an 8-year-old, medically uncompromised boy who complained of a severe burning sensation in the tongue with a history of one year of remission and exacerbation was presented. When examined, the tongue showed a large irregular superficial non-indurated ulcer occupying the whole anterior 2/3 of the tongue sparing the tip and was surrounded by white radiating lines. The ulcerative lesion showed a peculiar butterfly pattern. Histopathological examination of the incisional biopsy showed intraepithelial civatte bodies and dense subepithelial lymphocytic infiltrate arranged in a pseudo-lymphomatous shape. Although the clinical and histological pictures suggest lichen planus, the atypical arrangement of lymphocytes brought up a question mark. This report demonstrates a peculiar clinical picture of a rare disease combined with a unique histopathologic finding.