PORPHYRIA-CUTANEA-TARDA AND HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS - 2 CASES ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATITIS-C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was recently recognized as a probable etiologi c factor for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT). A review of the literature revealed 40 eases of PCT associated with the human immunodeficiency v irus (HN). In most of these cases, hepatitis C status was unknown, We describe two patients with PCT who were coinfected with HN and HCV and discuss the interaction of these two viruses. A diagnosis of PCT, esp ecially in a young patient, should prompt investigation for underlying HIV and HCV infection. Porphyrin studies should be performed in any p atient with HIV and photosensitivity. Clinicians should be aware of th e infectious risk associated with the vesicles and erosions in these p atients.