Clinical Information

The porphyrias are a group of inherited disorders resulting from enzyme defects in the heme biosynthetic pathway. Depending on the specific enzyme involved, various porphyrins and their precursors accumulate in different specimen types. The patterns of porphyrin accumulation in erythrocytes and plasma and the excretion of the heme precursors in urine and feces allow for the detection and differentiation of the porphyrias.

The porphyrias are typically classified as erythropoietic or hepatic based upon the primary site of the enzyme defect. In addition, of the 5 hepatic porphyrias, 4 typically present with acute neurological manifestations and are designated the acute porphyrias. Clinically, however, these attacks can be prolonged and chronic.

Three primary acute hepatic porphyrias: acute intermittent porphyria (AIP), hereditary coproporphyria (HCP), and variegate porphyria (VP), are associated with neurovisceral symptoms that typically onset during puberty or later. Common symptoms include severe abdominal pain, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric symptoms. A broad range of medications (including barbiturates and sulfa drugs), alcohol, infection, starvation, heavy metals, and hormonal changes may precipitate crises. Photosensitivity is not associated with AIP but may be present in HCP and VP.

Plasma porphobilinogen (PBG) and aminolevulinic acid (ALA) are elevated during the acute phase of these neurologic porphyrias. Urine and fecal porphyrin analysis should be performed to confirm the diagnosis and to distinguish among AIP, HCP, and VP. A biochemical diagnosis of AIP can be confirmed by measurement of PBG deaminase activity (PBGD_ / Porphobilinogen Deaminase, Whole Blood). VP and HCP can be confirmed by measurement of fecal porphyrins (FQPPS / Porphyrins, Feces). Once the biochemical diagnosis of an acute porphyria is established, molecular genetic testing is available (APGP / Acute Porphyria Gene Panel, Varies), which allows for diagnosis of at-risk family members.

The very rare (<10 cases described) autosomal recessive ALA dehydratase deficiency porphyria (ADP) is also a primary acute porphyria causing neurovisceral symptoms with variable age of onset. Biochemically, ADP is characterized by an isolated significant elevation of ALA. More commonly, however, isolated elevations of ALA are due to secondary inhibition of ALA dehydratase with acute lead intoxication, which results in the highest degree of aminolevulinic aciduria. Less significant elevations are seen in chronic lead intoxication, tyrosinemia type I, alcoholism, and pregnancy.

The workup of patients with a suspected porphyria is most effective when following a stepwise approach.

For more information, see the following or call 800-533-1710 to discuss testing strategies:

-The Heme Biosynthetic Pathway 

-Porphyria (Acute) Testing Algorithm

-Porphyria (Cutaneous) Testing Algorithm