Porphyria cutanea tarda and HIV/AIDS: a review of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and management.

The porphyrias, a group of rare acquired or hereditary diseases, are due to abnormalities in the haeme biosynthesis pathway. Clinical manifestations vary with the deficient enzyme. Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), the most common of the porphyrias, is the result of decreased function of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase. This is a deficiency that is limited to the liver more commonly in the acquired form; and involves other tissues, including erythrocytes, in the hereditary form. Clinical manifestations in this type of porphyria are limited to the skin1,2. Porphyria cutanea tarda has been reported in association with HIV infection 3-39. Here we present 2 cases of PCT in HIV-infected patients; in addition, the clinical characteristics and the epidemiology of PCT in HIV/AIDS patients is reviewed, and controversies regarding pathogenesis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]