Anti-HCV-core specific IgM in porphyria cutanea tarda

Aim Analysis of the prevalence of scrum IgM antibodies directed against the HCV-core antigen (HCV-IgM) in patients with Porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), taking into account the hepatic histological picture, liver biochemical markers and the PCI biochemical indices. Background Hepatic damage, especially that due to HCV infection, has been previously reported as a PCT trigger. HCV-IgM reactivity, a marker of chronic HCV hepatitis, suggested to be related to active virus replication could also be related to the PCT clinical course. Methods Blood samples of 97 patients, previously analyzed for a panel of clinical, histological and laboratory variables, followed in our Centre for Porphyria. stored at - 80°C, were available to be retrospectively assayed for anti-HCV-core IgM (HCV-IgM. ELISA). Results 61% HCV-IgM positivity was found, with no apparent significant relationship with the respective histological hepatitis classification. PCT remission phase, and PCT familiarity, when evaluated on overall patients. The levels of HCV-IgM presented u peculiar behaviour when correlated to the serum AST values. In fact, there was a significant positive correlation in those with HCV-IgM < 4 and a not significant, inverse correlation in the remaining group. These two groups showed other differences: the HCV-IgM levels were correlated to histology, PCT remission and to the markers of liver disease (such as AST and ALT) only in the first group. Conclusion a relationship between IgM response, PCT activity and the underlying liver disease is suggested.