Porphyria cutanea tarda without skin lesion in an American Negro

Abstract

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) without skin lesions is described in an American Negro. Large amounts of free porphyrins were present in the liver of this patient; he excreted greatly increased quantities of fecal porphyrins; the urine contained large quantities of uroporphyrins, and increased amounts of coproporphyrins. No porphobilinogen was detectable on numerous examinations. The possible reasons for the absence of photosensitivity in this patient are discussed. There was no evidence of parenchymal liver disease until seven years after the first signs of porphyria. It is suggested that the underlying biochemical lesion caused not only the abnormality in the porphyrin metabolism but also could have been responsible for the subsequent development of hepatocellular injury. There was no demonstrable correlation in the diurnal excretion patterns of urinary coproporphyrin (UCP) and urinary uroporphyrin (UUP).