Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Hepatitis C, Uroporphyrinogen Decarboxylase and Mutations of HFE Gene

International audienceBackground: Hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are known risk factors for porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), but interactions with erythrocytic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) have seldom been addressed. Objective: In order toexamine the links between these factors, we conducted a multicentre prospective case-control study. Methods: PCT patients with (n = 32) or without HCV (n = 28) were matched to HCV+ (n = 32) and HCV– controls (n = 28). HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D) were analyzed by PCR. Results: PCT+/HCV+ patients were younger than PCT+/HCV– patients (46.9 vs. 58.2 years, p Conclusion: In French patients, HCV infection is probably the major causal factor of PCT. It is not linked with HFE mutations, although they are significantly associated with PCT. A low erythrocytic UROD might be a predisposing factor. The UROD value was lower in patients with HFE mutations, suggesting a possible interaction between HFE genotype and UROD levels