Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

A probiotic supplement led to improvements in blood sugar and insulin levels and increased heme production in a mouse model of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). “These data provide a proof of concept that probiotics, as a dietary intervention in AIP, induce relevant changes in intestinal bacteria composition and improve…

An infant in Brazil who developed severe skin blistering after receiving a light-based therapy for jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, was found to have congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) after a thorough diagnostic workup. “In publishing this case report, we aimed to pediatricians’ knowledge regarding [CEP],” the researchers wrote.

A screening program at emergency departments may help to more efficiently diagnose acute forms of porphyria, according to a recent study. “Screening for [acute porphyrias] in the [emergency department] is feasible and should be considered in all [emergency department] patients with (especially recurrent) abdominal pain of unclear origin,” the…

Treatment with the implantable medication Scenesse (afamelanotide), which is approved to help reduce light intolerance in people with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), also may help to reduce liver damage associated with the disease. That finding, in the study “Afamelanotide Is Associated with Dose-Dependent Protective Effect from Liver…

When patients have unusual sunlight sensitivity combined with liver damage, the possible diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) should be considered, a recent study highlights. “Although rare, EPP is an important cause of nonblistering, cutaneous [skin] photosensitivity that may lead to hepatic [liver] involvement. Awareness and appropriate diagnostic work-up is…

Four cases of children diagnosed with porphyria were described in a recent report where researchers highlighted that, while porphyria is commonly considered an adult disease, it’s important for clinicians to consider it as a possible diagnosis in children to facilitate proper management. The study, “Porphyrias:…

For a teenage boy in Japan, it wasn’t until getting a second liver biopsy — nearly three years after his initial one — that he was accurately diagnosed with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). This case highlights that “EPP should be considered in young patients with unexplained liver dysfunction, skin symptoms,…

In an extremely unusual case, a young man in Turkey diagnosed as a child with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic neurological disease, was also found to have porphyria. “An individual carrying mutated genes for both diseases is similar to the odds of two pins colliding in mid-air,” its…

Treatment with Givlaari (givosiran) normalized disease-related laboratory parameters in a 47-year-old woman with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) but she continued to experience severe symptom attacks despite getting normal test results. “We report a patient with AIP who experienced biochemical resolution of her [disease] with monthly [Givlaari] injections yet…

Among people with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and chronic hepatitis C infection, treatment with modern antiviral medicines has been found to cure the infection and resolve PCT symptoms, according to a new study. Specifically, a combination therapy of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir — sold by Gilead under the brand name…