porphyria

Noun

porphyria (plural porphyrias)

1. Any of several usually hereditary abnormalities of porphyrin metabolism characterized by excretion of excess porphyrins in the urine.
   • The term porphyria, derived from the Greek word porphyra, meaning purple, is apt because a hallmark of most of the porphyrias is the overexcretion of porphyrins in urine or feces.2000, Herbert L. Bonkovsky, Richard W. Lambrecht, “44: Hemochromatosis, iron overload, and porphyria cutanea tarda”, in James C. Barton, Corwin Q. Edwards, editors, Hemochromatosis: Genetics...
   • However, the appearance of homozygous forms without consanguinity and coincidence of two types of porphyria in the same patient, dual porphyrias, is possible.2003, M. Lecha, C. Herrero, D. Ozalla, “Porphyrias”, in Andreas D. Katsambas, Torello M. Lotti, editors, European Handbook of Dermatological Treatments, page 419