[Porphyria cutanea tarda and lupus erythematosus]

We observed three patients with lupus erythematosus and porphyria cutanea tarda manifesting itself simultaneously or subsequently. The possible coincidence of the two diseases might be the consequence of immunological communities indicated on the assumption of a genetically coined hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase defect. The treatment of the lupus erythematosus can be performed according to corresponding observations of the course according to general acknowledged principles including the administration of cytostatic drugs, if the chloroquine phosphate therapy which is clearing up the porphyria cutanea tarda is beginning with low dosages. The fluorescence of the fresh kidney bioptate under long-wave UV-light in porphyria cutanea tarda is referred to for the first time.