A Case Report of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda with Hepatitis-C Virus Co-infection.

ABSTRACT

Porphyria cutanea tarda is a rare disorder of heme metabolism due to deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase which is manifested as some typical dermatological features and hepatic dysfunction. The Hepatitis-C virus co-infection is common and it can be aggravated by other environmental factors. We report a case of porphyria cutanea tarda in a 37-year-old woman, who presented with recurrent skin blisters and has concomitant Hepatitis-C virus infection. She was taking oestrogen containing oral contraceptive pill for a long duration. The diagnosis of porphyria cutanea tarda was considered on the basis of clinical features and high level of urine porphyrin level. She was put on hydroxychloroquine and combination drugs for Hepatitis-C virus with significant improvement after 3 months of therapy.