Porphyria cutanea tarda and HIV: two cases associated with hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a probable etiologic factor for the development of porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), a photosensitive skin disease causing blistering, skin fragility, milia, and scarring. In a review of the literature, the hepatitis C status of patients coinfected with HIV and PCT was not known. Two patients with PCT who were seropositive for HIV and HCV are discussed herein. The appropriateness of performing porphyrin studies in patients diagnosed with HIV and photosensitivity and of prompting physicians to test for HIV and HCV infection in individuals who are diagnosed with PCT is discussed. Because HIV has been isolated from cutaneous blister fluid in patients with PCT and HIV, caregivers should be aware of the infection risk associated with the vesicles and erosions in these patients.