Porphyria cutanea tarda in a patient with AIDS.
A 53-yr-old man, known to have had AIDS for 6 months, developed the clinical signs and symptoms of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) preceding deterioration of his illness. Urinary porphyrin analysis confirmed the diagnosis of PCT. At the time the cutaneous blistering and scars developed, he was taking zidovudine and fluconazole. Reviewing the literature suggested that association of the two disorders is not purely coincidental. Anaemia, due to chronic immune activation and therapeutic options in the light of AIDS, could play an important role in the development of PCT. We recommend analysing the urine for porphyrins in HIV-positive patients who have chronic photosensitivity of the skin.
Department of Internal Medicine, De Wever Hospital, Heerlen, Netherlands.
M G
MG
Russel
F A
FA
Lustermans
J
J
Wuite
J
J
van Pelt
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000740:Anemia / Q000150:complications; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000209:etiology*; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000652:urine; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011166:Porphyrins; D015215:Zidovudine; D015725:Fluconazole