This Article  • Full text  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152:1248.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 131 words of the full text and any section headings.

The June issue of the ARCHIVES features a "Pathologic Case of the Month" on erythropoietic protoporphyria and outlines the progressive damage that can be caused by an overabundance of type IV collagen.¹ Repeated episodes lead to fibrogenic changes in the skin and, sometimes, to cirrhosis in the liver. I would like to ask whether this disease is mostly inflammation involving primarily the fibrosis limb of inflammation?

I would also like to suggest there may be a link to another disease that features type IV collagen abnormalities, ie, Alport syndrome. In that condition, basement membranes in glomeruli and other structures are abnormal and there may be progressive glomerular incapacity. Might this condition also involve recurrent bouts of remote inflammation and consequent fibrogenesis?

Carl F. Needles, MD
1955 Merrick Rd
Merrick, NY 11566

1. Mather MK, Sau P. Pathological case of the month: erythropoietic protoporphyria. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1998;152:603-604. FREE FULL TEXT