Porphyriya – The Vampiers Disease

Abstract

The  Porphyrias  are a group of seven rare genetic disorders. They are called the porphyrias because they cause accumulation of chemicals called porphyrins (purple-red pigments named from the Greek for purple); or the simpler chemicals (ALA and PBG), which are used by the body to make porphyrins. In each porphyria a specific enzyme, which is needed to complete each step on the pathway to produce Haem (a red pigment containing iron and porphyrin), is deficient. As a result these porphyrins accumulate causing severe medical problems. The type of porphyria varies according to the enzyme/step which is affected.