I. Bodokh

Porphyria cutanea tarda and antibodies to hepatitis C virus

We have studied the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti‐HCV) in 13 patients suffering from sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda. The sera were tested by Abbott second‐generation enzyme immunoassay; seropositivity was confirmed by Ortho second‐generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Ten cases (76.1%) were anti‐HCV positive; one patient was also seropositive for HIV. This preliminary study suggests that HCV could be a frequent triggering factor for sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda.

Acral hyperpigmented macules and longitudinal melanonychia in AIDS patients

Two patients with AIDS are described who developed acral hyperpigmented macules of the fingers, palms and soles, buccal mucosa and genitalia, associated with longitudinal melanonychia. These pigmentary changes seemed to be independent of zidovudine and were associated in one with diffuse melanoderma and elevated levels of α‐MSH. Histological and ultrastructural studies showed an increase of the dendrites and pigmentation of the melanocytes and few melanosomes in the keratinocytes.

Prévalence de l'hépatite C au cours de la porphyrie cutanée tardive sporadique

We have studied the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in 13 patients referred to our center for sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda. The prevalence was high (76,1 %) since 10 cases were associated with antibodies to hepatitis C virus. This preliminary study suggests that hepatitis C virus could be a frequent triggering factor for clinical sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda.