Liver transplantation for erythropoietic protoporphyria: report of a case with medium-term follow-up

A case of liver transplantation is described in a 35-year-old male with hep atic failure due to erythropoietic protoporphyria. Data regarding protoporp hyrin levels in erythrocytes and faeces, before and after transplantation, seem to indicate that, in this case, protoporphyrin overproduction was, in part, due to liver synthesis. Four years after surgery, the patient is comp letely free of skin photosensitivity. Liver function tests are normal and t here are no significant protoporphyrin deposits in the new liver. However r ecurrence of the disease in the long-term cannot be excluded, since erythro cyte protoporphyrin levels have remained elevated after liver transplantati on.