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Severe pruritus after completing pegylated interferon for hepatitis C
Chistopher J Hoffman1, Stuart C Ray
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
The AIDS Reader
|December 10, 2008
Summary
Porphyria cutanea tarda, a heme accumulation disorder, can present as severe itching in patients coinfected with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). This case highlights an unusual presentation post-HCV treatment.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) involves heme biosynthesis dysfunction, often linked to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
- Hepatic iron overload is implicated in PCT pathogenesis.
- Typical PCT skin manifestations include vesicles, bullae, milia, and hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed areas.
Observation:
- A case of PCT is presented in an individual coinfected with HIV and HCV.
- The patient had recently completed therapy for hepatitis C.
Findings:
- The primary presenting symptom was severe pruritus (itching).
- This contrasts with the more common cutaneous findings of PCT.
Implications:
- This case expands the known clinical spectrum of PCT, particularly in coinfected populations.
- Highlights the importance of considering PCT in HIV/HCV patients with unexplained severe pruritus, even after successful HCV treatment.
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