title: Porphyria cutanea tarda in association with the human immunodeficiency virus infection.
abstract: A 42 year old heterosexual male with symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection presented with a 2-week history of tense blistering skin lesions following azidothymidine therapy. Urinary porphyrin excretion confirmed the diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda. The blisters resolved following the withdrawal of the drug but recurred when rechallenged. Three other cases of porphyria cutanea tarda, not associated with azidothymidine, who subsequently developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome have recently been described. If azidothymidine is not the precipitating agent, it is possible that human immunodeficiency virus itself can impair porphyrin metabolism, leading to the clinical and biochemical features of porphyria cutanea tarda.
authors.affiliation: Regional Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Monsall Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McDowell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gebril
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weinkove
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ead
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D015215:Zidovudine / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D015215:Zidovudine