porphyria

From porphyrin, from German Porphyrin.

• IPA^(key): /pɔː(ɹ)ˈfɪɹɪə/
• Rhymes: -ɪɹiə

porphyria (plural porphyrias)

1. (pathology) Any of several usually hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine.
   • 2000, Herbert L. Bonkovsky, Richard W. Lambrecht, “44: Hemochromatosis, iron overload, and porphyria cutanea tarda”, in James C. Barton, Corwin Q. Edwards, editors, Hemochromatosis: Genetics, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment, page 453:

     The term porphyria, derived from the Greek word porphyra, meaning purple, is apt because a hallmark of most of the porphyrias is the overexcretion of porphyrins in urine or feces.

   • 2003, M. Lecha, C. Herrero, D. Ozalla, “Porphyrias”, in Andreas D. Katsambas, Torello M. Lotti, editors, European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments, page 419:

     However, the appearance of homozygous forms without consanguinity and coincidence of two types of porphyria in the same patient, dual porphyrias, is possible.

   • 2010, James C. Barton, Corwin Q. Edwards, Pradyumna D. Phatak, Robert S. Britton, Bruce R. Bacon, Handbook of Iron Overload Disorders, page 160:

     The usual presenting symptoms and signs of porphyrias are either skin photosensitivity or neurovisceral symptoms and signs.

• hematoporphyria
• porphyric

• protoporphyria