Human herpesvirus-6 as an inducer of porphyria cutanea tarda: implications from a case.
Here we describe a case that might deliver a link between sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and human-herpesvirus-6 (HHV6) hepatitis. Sporadic PCT is a rare disease of the heme synthesis pathway. The pathogenesis has not been fully determined but iron overload and viral infections - e.g., hepatitis C virus - are thought to play an important role. We present the case of a patient suffering from myelo-monocytic leukemia. He developed symptomatic sporadic PCT concomitant with HHV6-associated subclinical hepatitis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Although HHV6 often reactivates after SCT and HHV6-induced hepatitis can occur in immunocompromised patients, it has not been described that HHV6 might trigger PCT. A contribution of HHV6 to the pathogenesis of sporadic PCT could have dramatic implications on our current therapeutic approach.
Weber
T
T
Departments of Oncology and Haematology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
Theurich
S
S
Christopeit
M
M
Klapperstueck
T
T
Behre
G
G
D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017119:Porphyria Cutanea Tarda / Q000209:etiology*; D019349:Roseolovirus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D004279:DNA, Viral