STUDIES OF COPROPORPHYRIN. III. IDIOPATHIC COPROPORPHYRINURIA; A HITHERTO UNRECOGNIZED FORM CHARACTERIZED BY LACK OF SYMPTOMS IN SPITE OF THE EXCRETION OF LARGE AMOUNTS OF COPROPORPHYRIN 1

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Abstract
Two cases are described in which incident to examination for other purposes, large amts. of coproporphyrin isomer type III were found in the urine and feces. Neither case exhibited any of the symptoms of porphyria, nor was porpho-bilinogen or uro-type porphyrin encountered in either urine or feces. In both cases, the bile obtained by duodenal drainage was found to contain large amts. of coproporphyrin III. There was no evidence of liver functional impairment in either instance, nor was there any evidence of chemical or metal intoxication. Neither individual admitted to the use of alcoholic beverages. These cases cast same doubt on the supposed role of coproporphyrin in the production of abdominal pain and nervous dis-turbances. Emphasis is placed on the existence of such cases with relation to possible inclusion in a pool of presumably normal individuals, such as that described by Grotepass whose study of 10,000 liters of pooled "normal" urine indicated that approx. 50% of the coproporphyrin was present ass the type III isomer. This is contrasted with an average of 25% as described in Part I of this group of papers.