Diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria with severe liver injury: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Porphyria is a rare disease with complex classification. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is an autosomal recessively inherited disease, and most are caused by mutations in the FECH gene. EPP combined with liver injury is even rarer.

CASE SUMMARY

This paper reports a case of EPP which was admitted to the hospital with abnormal liver function and diagnosed by repeated questioning of medical history, screening of common causes of severe liver injury, and second generation sequencing of the whole exon genome. We also summarize the clinical characteristics of EPP with liver injury, and put forward some suggestions on EPP to provide a reference for the diagnosis of such rare disease.

CONCLUSION

A new mutation locus (c.32_35dupCCCT) which may be related to the disease was found by detecting the FECH gene in the pedigree of this case.

Key Words: : Erythropoietic protoporphyria, FECH gene, Severe liver injury, Diagnosis, Case report

Core tip: The diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is often delayed due to the lack of awareness among doctors. The major highlights of this paper are: (1) EPP patients may suffer from severe liver injury and be misdiagnosed for a long term with liver disease of unknown origin. Therefore, EPP screening should be performed in the clinic for patients with hepatitis accompanied by skin symptoms; (2) an invisible inheritance of EPP is difficult to diagnose, especially for patients whose parents are carriers and have no clinical symptoms; and (3) in the present case, a de novo mutation, c.32_35 dupCCCT (p.Arg13fs), was found to have a possible association with EPP disease.

INTRODUCTION

Porphyria is caused by the disorder of porphyrin metabolism resulting in abnormal enzymes during hemoglobin synthesis. Various abnormal enzymes can lead to different types of porphyria. Porphyria is a rare disease with complex classification. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP, OMIM #17700) is an autosomal recessively inherited disease, and its morbidity is about 1:75000 to 1:200000[1]. Genetic testing by sequencing the FECH or ALAS2 gene can confirm its diagnosis[1], and the most mutations of EPP occur in the FECH gene (OMIM *612386). EPP combined with liver injury is even rarer, occurring in about 10% of EPP patients, and only 3%-5% of such patients suffer from end-stage liver diseases (such as cirrhosis and liver failure)[2]. Liver injury is often induced by alcohol, drugs, chemicals, hepatotropic virus, etc. Serious cases may lead to death[3,4].

This paper reports a case of EPP who was admitted to our hospital with abnormal liver function and diagnosed by repeated questioning of medical history, screening for common causes of severe liver injury, and second generation sequencing of the whole exon genome.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 26-year-old man was admitted to our hospital on September 1, 2017. He had a history of repeated fatigue, poor appetite, yellowing skin, and yellowish urine for more than three years, which aggravated one month ago.

History of present illness

At the age of 26 (one month ago admitted to our hospital), after drinking beer, he developed significant aggravation of yellowing skin and yellowish urine, with fatigue, poor appetite, aversion to oil, diarrhea, progressive emaciation, and weight loss of about 20 kg. Extremely abnormal liver function was confirmed [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 126.8 IU/L, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 109.2 IU/L, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) 340.7 IU/L, total bilirubin (TBIL) 322.5 μmol/L, and direct bilirubin (DBIL) 173.1 μmol/L].

History of past illness

He started suffering from repeated skin lesions at the age of 3 years. The previous skin biopsy suggested photosensitive dermatitis. He was advised to avoid light at ordinary times, which relieved his skin condition. At the age of 18, he was infected with hepatitis A, which was subsequently cured. In the past three years, he often came in contact with pesticides and more frequently suffered from dermatitis. At the age of 23, he suffered from mild jaundice, with exposed skin thickening and chapping, while he was diagnosed with abnormal liver function for the first time.

Family history

His father had suffered from “jaundice hepatitis” at the age of 12, and his mother, partner, and children were all healthy.

Physical examination upon admission

Physical examination upon admission showed severe yellowing of the skin and sclera, rough and irregular skin on the arm, face and perioral area, and lichenification in some areas (Figure 1). Abdominal palpation revealed swelling of the liver and spleen, and suspicious shifting dullness.

Figure 1 Clinical features. Physical examination after admission showed severe yellowing of skin and sclera, rough and irregular skin on the arm, face and perioral area, and lichenification in some areas.

Imaging examinations

Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) suggested splenomegaly, and a small volume of ascites, and the characteristic description was fullness and enlargement of the liver with diffuse fatty infiltration of liver parenchyma (Figure 2A).

Figure 2 Accessory examinations. A: Abdominal image of magnetic resonance imaging; B: Peripheral blood (×20); C: Hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained skin biopsy (×100); D: Periodic acid-Schiff-stained skin biopsy (×100); E: HE-stained liver biopsy under a light microscope; F: HE-stained liver biopsy under a polarized light microscope.

Laboratory examinations

The monitoring showed abnormal liver function, high proteinuria, and abnormal blood lipid metabolism. Initial diagnosis at admission was abnormal liver function of unknown etiology. We systematically checked for common diseases that caused liver damage. According to the history, alcohol consumption was the predisposing factor, but the alcohol consumption did not meet the diagnostic criteria for alcoholic liver disease. Due to frequent exposure to pesticides in recent years, “drug/chemical liver injury” could not be completely ruled out, but could not explain the existence of skin lesions. After admission, hepatitis B virus markers, anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV)-immunoglobulin M (IgM), anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV)-IgM, Torch check IgM (rubella, toxoplasma), cytomegalovirus IgM, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and pre-transfusion ICT [human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and TP] were tested to exclude virus-related hepatitis. The autoimmune antibody spectrum (ANA, AMA-M2, LKM, and ANCA) was tested to exclude autoimmune liver disease; while autoantibody profiles (ds-DNA, ANA, etc.) were checked to exclude liver injury caused by systemic diseases [such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)] and connective tissue diseases. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), T3, T4, FT3, and FT4 were checked to exclude liver injury associated with hyperthyroidism, while schistosomiasis antibodies were tested to exclude schistosomiasis-related cirrhosis. The normal blood amylase and imaging findings of the abdomen excluded chemical liver injury caused by pancreatitis, and myocardial enzymes and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were normal. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and myocardial enzymogram were used to exclude liver injury caused by cardiogenic liver congestion, and abdominal vascular ultrasound was performed to exclude vascular liver diseases, such as Bucca syndrome. Given the juvenile onset of the disease, further screening for inherited metabolic liver disease was performed. No nervous system signs were found, and electromyography (EMG)/neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and amplitude integrated electro-encephalography (AEEG) were normal. Ceruloplasmin, serum copper, and 24-h urine copper were also normal. No corneal K-F ring was observed, thereby excluding hepatolenticular degeneration. Given the normal saturation of ferritin and transferrin and the absence of homogeneous and diffuse iron deposition in liver imaging, hemochromatosis was not considered. No developmental disorder, “baby face”, repeated or severe hypoglycemic attacks, muscle strength and muscle tone decline, evidence of glycogen accumulation, or history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was found, and normal levels of α1 antitrypsin ruled out α1 antitrypsin deficiency. Based on the history of photosensitive dermatitis in childhood and liver damage in adolescence, the initial clinical diagnosis was porphyria. Further examination of uroporphyrin was negative; red fluorescence was seen around red blood cells in his peripheral blood smear under a fluorescence microscope (Figure 2B). Fluorescence intensity (Ex 400 nm, Em 595 nm) was measured with a Thermo VARIOSKAN LUX fluorescence spectrophotometer. The fluorescence intensities of urine, whole blood, and plasma were 2.14, 17.49, and 17.17, respectively, which were significantly higher than the normal fluorescence intensities of urine (1.231), whole blood (0.059), and plasma (0.912). Bone mineral density test suggested bone loss and increased fracture risk. Skin (Figure 2C and D) and liver (Figure 2E and F) biopsy results were consistent with porphyria, and liver histopathology (G3S3) suggested superposed drug-induced/chemical liver injury.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Clinical diagnosis was erythrocyte protoporphyria. We collected blood samples from his family (including himself, his parents, partner, and children), and performed second generation sequencing of the whole exon genome, which was verified by first generation sequencing (Figure 3). Although neither of his parents had the disease, the results showed that both parents carried mutations in the FECH gene. He had a compound heterozygous mutation and his FECH gene contained two mutation sites of his father [c.315-48T>C (rs2272783 OMIM612386.0015) and c.68-23C>T (rs2269219 OMIM612386.0003)] and one of his mother [c.32_35dupCCCT (p.Arg13fs)]. His partner was healthy, and his children were all carriers, but without pathopoiesia. Final genetic diagnosis was EPP.

Figure 3 First generation sequencing.

TREATMENT

After diagnosis, the treatment administered included avoiding light, drinking adequate volume of glucose water and carrot diet, intermittent oral administration of β carotene 120-180 mg/d, and liver protection treatment.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

The condition was improved and the patient was discharged after treatment. Follow-up showed improvement in liver function (Table 1).

Table 1 Follow-up of liver function.

	ALT (IU/L)	AST (IU/L)	TBIL (μmol/L)	DBIL (μmol/L)	PT (s)
2017-07-311	361	217	122.1	75.6	12.9
2017-08-151	126.8	109.2	322.5	173.1
2017/8/29	58.3	61.8	270.7	178.3	11.6
2017/9/2	53.9	69.5	234.03	164.5	11.9
2017/9/7	61.6	77.5	220.19	154.81	12.6
2017/9/12	72.9	93	250.57	170.72	12.4
2017/9/19	86.2	99.2	254.55	169.59	12.5
2017/9/26	70.3	91.5	271	177.49	11.6
2017/10/2	65	98	254.86	169.28
2017/10/10	55	94	105.8	96.6
2017-10-252	78	73	93.8	34.6
2017-12-62	69	63	65.7	25.6
2018-5-52	38	41	40.8	20.2

¹Before admission;

²After admission. ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; AST: Aspartate aminotransferase; TBIL: Total bilirubin; DBIL: Direct bilirubin; PT: Prothrombin.

DISCUSSION

EPP is considered an autosomal recessive inheritance[5]. EPP is a genetic disease caused by mutations in the FECH gene[6]. The FECH gene is located at coordinates 18q21.31 (GRCh38): 18:57, 544, 840-57, 586, 736, containing 11 exons and 10 introns [from National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI)]. The defect in ferrochelatase (FECH, EC 4.99.1.1) results in an increase of protoporphyrin IX and its accumulation in erythrocytes, hepatocytes, and plasma, and the transformation of protoporphyrin into activated porphyrin, resulting in the production of various reactive oxygen species (such as oxygen free radicals and peroxides), and their interactions with proteins, lipids, and DNA in tissues, thereby causing tissue damage. The main clinical manifestations are painful skin photosensitivity accompanied by erythema in toddlers (3-5 years old). Males are more susceptible than females. The repeated exposure sites, like the dorsum of the hand and the joints, show wax-like thickening or leathery changes and there are radial atrophic textures around the mouth, called pseudo-chapping[7,8]. EPP combined with liver injury is even rarer, wherein the liver damage is aggravated, occasionally resulting in liver failure that can lead to death. Therefore, early diagnosis is very important.

However, some studies in the United States and Europe have shown a significant diagnostic delay for patients with EPP[9]. Porphyria should be considered in patients with the main manifestations of abnormal liver function accompanied by skin damage. EPP is a rare disease that manifests in early childhood, which often leads to missed diagnosis. The diagnosis of porphyria cannot be ruled out by negative urine porphyrin. Although most types of porphyria involve the urine porphyrin excretion pathway, EPP, tricarboxylic porphyria, and hereditary fecal porphyria are only excreted via the fecal pathway, which results in a negative urine porphyrin test. The red fluorescence around the red blood cells of peripheral blood smear under a fluorescence microscope is a simple and reliable method for screening EPP. Skin and liver biopsy can also be used for clinical diagnosis of EPP. Epidermal histopathology of EPP shows hyperkeratosis of the epidermis under a light microscope (hematoxylin-eosin [HE] staining; Figure 2C), a decrease in epidermis layer in some cases, numerous homogeneous red staining substances in the dermal papilla, a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltrates around the superficial vascular dermis, positive periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining (Figure 2D), and negative methyl violet staining. The characteristic features of liver tissue in EPP include: HE staining with light microscopy and protoporphyrin sediments showing chocolate fish-seed-like particles (Figure 2E), which can be easily missed; polarized light microscopy has a double refractive property, showing a “Maltese” cross and typical porphyrin liver deposition (Figure 2F), which is helpful for the diagnosis. EPP diagnosis depends on gene detection (Figure 3). There were two mutation sites in our patient’s FECH gene, which were inherited from his father[5,10]. The first mutation is c.68-23C>T (IVS1, C-T, -23), which is close to intron 1, causes abnormal transcriptional regulation, and may lead to the decrease of ferrous chelating enzyme activity, immunohistochemical protein quantification, and mRNA content. The second mutation is c.315-48T>C (IVS3AS, T-C, -48), which is close to intron 3. This mutation produces a potential splice site, which leads to the aberrant splicing of exon 4 during transcription and results in a low-expression protein product that reduces the peak of the normal transcript to about 25% of the normal level. It has been reported that 96% of the EPP cases were caused by complex heterozygous mutations, one of which led to a significant decrease in iron chelating enzyme activity, and the other low-expression mutation allele (c.315-48T>C) maintained residual iron chelating enzyme activity. Our patient also inherited a mutation site from his mother: c.32_35 dupCCCT, which was a frame mutation in exon 1 that led to abnormal protein encoded by FECH, which began with the 13th amino acid (arginine) and ended with the 68^th amino acid for translation. The patient’s parents had no clinical symptoms because they carried the pure heterozygous mutations. The patient’s compound heterozygous mutation led to a significant decrease in the activity of FECH ferrous chelate enzyme, thus causing the disease. Notably, we found that the c.32_35dupCCCT (p.Arg13fs) was a new mutation site that was not previously reported.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis is often delayed because of the lack of awareness among doctors. Through diagnosis and treatment of this patient, we summarize the clinical characteristics of EPP with liver injury and put forward some suggestions on the diagnosis and treatment of such rare disease. The train of thoughts for the diagnosis and treatment of this patient is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 The diagnostic flow chart.