Development of porphyria cutanea tarda in a hemodialysis patient after reactivation of hepatitis C virus infection

Cases of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) are occasionally reported in hemodia lysis patients. Recently, hepatitis C virus has been recognized as a precip itating factor of PCT. The activity of the liver disease may be critical fo r the appearance of PCT. In this regard, liver disease reactivation after t reatment with interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) is a well-known phenomenon. We r eport the case of a hemodialysis patient who developed PCT coincidentally w ith reactivation of liver disease, im mediately after treatment with IFN-al pha. Therefore, in the present case, reactivation of hepatitis after IFN-al pha withdrawal could be the triggering factor. The occurrence of a bout of PCT should be considered as a possible complication at the end of IFN-alpha therapy, if reactivation of the disease exists. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karg er AG, Basel.