Page "Porphyria cutanea tarda" Paragraph 11

While inherited deficiencies in uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase often lead to the development of PCT, there are a number of risk factors that can both cause and exacerbate the symptoms of this disease.

One of the most common risk factors observed is infection with the Hepatitis C virus.

One review of a collection of PCT studies noted Hepatitis C infection in 50 % of documented cases of PCT.

Additional risk factors include alcohol abuse, excess iron, and exposure to chlorinated cyclic hydrocarbons and Agent Orange.