PORPHYRIN METABOLISM IN HEPATITIS-C INFECTION

Hepatitis C virus has been implicated as a major precipitating factor in porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). To determine whether hepatitis C inf ection alone is sufficient to induce PCT, we screened two groups of pa tients with hepatitis C infection. The first group comprised women who had become HCV positive secondary to immunization with anti-D immunog lobulin (group 1). Group 2 included males and females who were HCV pos itive but HIV negative secondary to intravenous drug abuse. Though bot h groups had very abnormal Liver function tests, we found no significa nt abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism in these groups of patients. Therefore, in this study population, we conclude that HCV infection al one is insufficient to cause porphyrin metabolic derangement.