Congenital erythropoietic porphyria.
Congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) is one of the rarest autosomal-recessive disorders of the porphyrin metabolism caused by the homozygous defect of uroporphyrinogen III cosynthase. High amounts of uroporphyrin I accumulate in all cells and tissues, reflected by an increased erythrocyte porphyrin concentration and excretion of high porphyrin amounts in urine and feces. Dermal deposits of uroporphyrin frequently induce a dramatic phototoxic oxygen-dependent skin damage with extensive ulcerations and mutilations. Splenomegaly and hemolytic anemia are typical internal symptoms. Skeletal changes such as osteolysis and calcifications are frequent. Up to date 130 cases of CEP have been published. Splenectomy and erythrocyte transfusions showed some beneficial effect. Bone marrow transplantation was performed in 3 patients and stem cell transplantation in 1. The best therapy is the avoidance of sunlight. We give a report on our latest cases of CEP.
Fritsch
C
C
Departmentof Dermatology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
Lang
K
K
Bolsen
K
K
Lehmann
P
P
Ruzicka
T
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017092:Porphyria, Erythropoietic / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000378:metabolism*
D011166:Porphyrins