Logo American Journal of Case Reports

Call: 1.631.629.4328
Mon-Fri 10 am - 2 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports Logo American Journal of Case Reports

01 February 2006

Hepatotoxicity of chloroquine treatment in patient with porphyria cutanea tarda

Piotr Stalke, Katarzyna Sikorska, Zofia Michalska, Julian Stolarczyk, Hanna Trocha

Case Rep Clin Pract Rev 2006; 7:18-22 :: ID: 445545

Abstract

Background: Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is a disorder of porphyrin metabolism associated with decreased activity of uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (URO-D) activity in liver. There are two main
options of PCT therapy: phlebotomy and chloroquine administration, however, some side effects were described in both.
Case Report: A 50-year-old Caucasian man was admitted to hospital because of symptoms of severe liver
damage, fever up to 39,5ºC with chills, and vesicular eruptions. A month before the patient had developed erythema on the face and hands that left flat erosions. PCT was diagnosed and the patient was treated with chloroquine 500 mg/daily, prednisone 5 mg/daily, and ornithine 450 mg/daily. After a week of treatment, he had developed headaches, nausea, vomiting, fever and subicterus. On admission to hospital hypertrichosis involving the face, dry and reddened skin on the sun-exposed-areas with many crusts and ruptured bullas – some of which had eroded, and enlarged liver were found. The patient’s urine was dark red. Laboratory tests suggested severe
liver damage with haemostatic disorders and hyperleucocytosis. Urine level of porphyrins was
elevated. Histological study of the skin biopsy material revealed deposits of immunoglobulins.
Liver biopsy showed macrovesicular steatosis and iron deposits in hepatocytes. Septicaemia, viral and autoimmune hepatitis were excluded. In view of the clinical aspects the diagnosis of toxic liver damage after chloroquine treatment during the course of PTC was made. The patient was treated with glucose infusion, prednisone, fresh frozen plasma and he resolved.
Conclusions: The symptoms of severe liver damage similar to the acute viral hepatitis could be observed after chloroquine treatment in patient with PCT.

Keywords: Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Chloroquine, Hemosiderosis, Hepatitis, toxic

Add Comment 0 Comments

19

In Press

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  Germany

Diagnostic Challenges and Imaging Considerations for Intraparotid Facial Nerve Schwannoma: A Case Report an...

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942870  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Erdheim-Chester Disease Occult on Radiographs and CT but Visible on MRI and PET

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.941169  

0:00

12 Feb 2024 : Case report  USA

Surgical Treatment of Spontaneous Superficial Temporal Artery Arteriovenous Malformation: A Case Report

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.942839  

13 Feb 2024 : Case report  Bahrain

Warfarin Woes: A Rare Case of Hemoperitoneum with Intramural Small Bowel Hematoma

Am J Case Rep In Press; DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.943519  

Most Viewed Current Articles

10 Jan 2022 : Case report  Germany

A Report on the First 7 Sequential Patients Treated Within the C-Reactive Protein Apheresis in COVID (CACOV...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935263

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935263

19 Jul 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Atlantoaxial Subluxation Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Rare Orthopedic Complication from COVID-19

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.936128

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e936128

05 Mar 2022 : Case report  Brazil

Acute Limb Ischemia After Self-Injection of Crushed Morphine Tablets into the Radial Artery: Role of Infrar...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935336

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935336

02 Apr 2022 : Case report  Saudi Arabia

Infective Endocarditis Caused by Pseudomonas luteola in a Pediatric Patient. A Case Report and Review of Li...

DOI :10.12659/AJCR.935743

Am J Case Rep 2022; 23:e935743

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923
American Journal of Case Reports eISSN: 1941-5923