[Cutaneous pigmentation, only manifestation of porphyria cutanea tarda in a HIV-1 positive patient].

INTRODUCTION

Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) is an unfrequent disorder in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) due to deficiency in uroporphyrinogen decarboxilase. The more frequent cutaneous manifestations are skin fragility and hypertrichosis.

CASE REPORT: A 44-years-old man with AIDS presented an intense cutaneous hyperpigmentation, preferently involving sun-exposed areas. Histopathologic studies showed perivascular PAS-positive deposits. Biochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of PCT.

DISCUSSION: PCT should be included in the differential diagnosis of cutaneous hyperpigmentation in patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).