Liver Inclusions in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria

Abstract

Needle-like inclusions have been found, by electron microscopy, in the livers of two unrelated patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria. Since they have not been noted in other hepatic conditions but do occur in the livers of protoporphyric mice it is suggested that they represent markers for protoporphyric liver disease. Paracrystalline inclusions that have been previously described in Wilson's disease and porphyria cutanea tarda were also present in the hepatocytes of one of these patients.