WBR1007

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Author [[PageAuthor::Vidit Bhargava, M.B.B.S [1]]]
Exam Type ExamType::USMLE Step 2 CK
Main Category
Sub Category SubCategory::Dermatology
Prompt [[Prompt::A 35 year old female presents with a 2 week history of sensitivity to sunlight. Whenever she steps outside unprotected she develops blistering, scarring, pigmentation on the back of her hands and face. She has also noticed increased hair growth at unusual places during these past 2 weeks. She is sexually active and takes oral contraceptives regularly. The physician orders the following labs:

Complete blood count:

  • Hemoglobin 12.0 mg/dL
  • Hematocrit 45%
  • RBC's 4 million/cc
  • WBC's 8000 /cc
  • Platelets 3 lac/cc

LFT's

  • AST 100 IU/L
  • ALT 90 IU/L
  • Prothrombin time 20 secs
  • Bilirubin 2.0

Urinalysis:

  • Color - pale
  • pH – 5
  • Specific gravity – 1.010
  • Ketones – None
  • Nitrates – Negative
  • Leukocyte esterase – Negative
  • WBCs - 3 WBCs/hpf
  • Casts – 0-5 hyaline casts/lpf
  • Crystals – none
  • Uroporphyrin Elevated
  • Porphobilinogen Normal

USG: Normal liver architecture

The patient is diagnosed with an enzymatic defect in heme metabolism, which of the following represents the enzyme deficiency and the best treatment strategy for the same?]]

Answer A [[AnswerA::Uroporphyrinogen III synthase

Barrier protection from sun, activated charcoal & cholestyramine, avoid alcohol & high carbohydrate diet.]]

Answer A Explanation AnswerAExp::The deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen III synthase leads to congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP)/Gunther's disease. It is managed by all of the above mentioned recommendations.
Answer B [[AnswerB::Uroporphyrinogen III decarboxylase

Stop oral contraceptives, barrier sun protection, phlebotomy or Desferoxamine & Chloroquine.]]

Answer B Explanation [[AnswerBExp::The deficiency of the enzyme uroporphyrinogen III decarboxylase leads to porphyria cutanea tarda, the most common porphyria subtype. It manifests with symptoms & signs described in this case. The treatment strategy involves eliminating excess heme from the body, as well as protecting against sunlight.]]
Answer C [[AnswerC::Porphobilinogen deaminase

High carbohydrate diet, Hematin/heme arginate, & removing offending agents.]]

Answer C Explanation AnswerCExp::The deficiency of the enzyme porphobilinogen deaminase leads to acute intermittent porphyria. It is managed by above mentioned recommendations.
Answer D [[AnswerD::Protoporphyrin III oxidase

Asymptomatic doesn't require treatment.]]

Answer D Explanation AnswerDExp::
Answer E [[AnswerE::ALA dehydrogenase

Liver transplantation]]

Answer E Explanation AnswerEExp::The deficiency of the enzyme ALA dehydrogenase leads to acute porphyria, it is managed by some physicians by liver transplantation.
Right Answer RightAnswer::B
Explanation [[Explanation::Shown below is an image representing heme synthesis.

Each of the enzyme deficiency in this pathway is associated with a specific metabolic disorder as described above.
Educational Objective:
References: ]]

Approved Approved::No
Keyword WBRKeyword::Porphyria, WBRKeyword::Heme
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