Congenital erythropoietic porphyria in an African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris).

Abstract

A 6-mo-old, male African hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) presented with a history of pink urine and demonstrating pink-colored teeth and mild hepatomegaly on examination. Urinalysis revealed no physical, chemical, or cellular abnormalities other than a pink color and fluorescence under ultraviolet light (UV). Also under UV, intense fluorescence of teeth, feet, and spines was noted. Porphyria was suspected. Spectrophotometric evaluation of urine showed extremely elevated levels of copro- and uroporphyrins. Analysis of the urine by thin-layer chromatography showed an abnormal pattern of excreted porphyrin intermediates. Urine high-performance thin-layer chromatography showed that excreted porphyrins were 90-95% of the type-I isomeric form, suggestive of congenital erythropoietic porphyria.

• Authors: Carlos Wolff, Paulina Corradini, Galaxia Cortés
• Journal: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (J Zoo Wildl Med) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 323-5 (Jun 2005) ISSN: 1042-7260 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17323578 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Coproporphyrins
• Porphyrins

Topics

• Animals
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid (veterinary)
• Coproporphyrins (metabolism, urine)
• Hedgehogs (urine)
• Male
• Porphyria, Erythropoietic (diagnosis, urine, veterinary)
• Porphyrins (metabolism, urine)