Early-stage HIV infection and hepatitis C virus infection are associated with elevated serum porphyrin levels

Background: Porphyria cutanea tarda is known to be associated with HIV infe ction and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate whether early infection with HIV, wi th or without HCV infection, is associated with elevated serum porphyrin le vels. Methods: Serum porphyrin levels were measured in samples obtained from 103 patients with early HIV infection. The results were compared with those of 89 late-stage HIV-positive patients and 78 HIV-negative patients. Results: The highest median porphyrin level was in early-stage HIV-positive /HCV-positive samples, followed in decreasing order by those in early-stage HIV-positive/HCV-negative, late-stage HIV-positive/HCV-positive, late-stag e HIV-positive/HCV-negative, HIV-negative/HCV-positive, and HIV-negative/HC V-negative groups. Elevated porphyrin levels were independently associated with early-stage HIV infection (P <.0001) and HCV infection (P =.03). Conclusion: This finding suggests abnormal porphyrin metabolism is most not iceable in early-stage HN infection; it becomes less severe with the progre ssion of HIV disease.