Variegate Porphyria Triggered by Acute Hepatitis A Infection
  • Daniel Micallef
    Department of Dermatology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
  • Charlton Agius
    Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida Malta
  • Charles Mallia-Azzopardi
    Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida Malta
  • Gerald Buhagiar
    Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida Malta
  • Lawrence Scerri
    Department of Medicine, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida Malta

Keywords

Variegate porphyria, hepatitis A

Abstract

Background: Variegate porphyria (VP) is a rare disorder of haem biosynthesis. We report a novel association with hepatitis A infection.

Patient and methods: A 31-year-old man was diagnosed with acute hepatitis A infection. During recovery, he presented with abdominal pain and a photoaggravated blistering skin eruption.

Results: Urine porphyrin precursors were markedly raised with high coproporphyrin III isomer levels. Faecal protoporphyrin levels were markedly increased and a maximum plasma fluorescence emission at 629 nm was noted. 

Discussion: Acute hepatitis A infection, and the associated metabolic stress exerted on the haem biosynthetic pathway, induced overt presentation of latent VP.

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References

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    Published: 2020-09-22
    Issue: 2020: Vol 7 No 12 (view)


    How to cite:
    1.
    Micallef D, Agius C, Mallia-Azzopardi C, Buhagiar G, Scerri L. Variegate Porphyria Triggered by Acute Hepatitis A Infection. EJCRIM 2020;7 doi:10.12890/2020_001688.