Porphyria cutanea tarda in beta-thalassemia trait carriers.
The authors report 5 cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) occurring in carriers of the beta-thalassemia trait. This hematologic condition may be responsible for the development of liver damage resulting in siderosis, higher susceptibility to hepatitis B virus infection, and the earlier appearance of clinical features of PCT. Consequently, the authors propose chelation therapy with long-term subcutaneous desferioxamine infusions.
D000328:Adult; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011164:Porphyrias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics*
D003676:Deferoxamine