Syed Muarraf Hussain, Syed Irfan Ahmed.
Congenital erythropoietic porphyria – Gunther’s disease basis for werewolves and vampires.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;17(2):300-1.

Porphyrias are a group of hereditary disorders of heme biosynthesis due to deficiency of one of any eight enzymes involved in biosynthetic pathways. Porphyrias are classified as neurovisceral, cutaneous and mixed on the basis of clinical symptoms as well as on defective enzyme . The word Porphyria was derived from Greek root for “purple” and the name was coined by German medical student Schultz in 1874 . The first clinical description of acute porphyria was given by B. G. Stokvis in 1889. In 1930, Hans Fisher identified heme as chromopigment for red color of blood and green of grass. In 1960s, all the known types of porphyria were identified and environmental factor have been shown to affect the disease course . Famous historical figures like King George III of England and Vincent von Gogh are thought to be porphyria victims . Porphyrias were also linked to myths of vampires and werewolves and one of the porphyrias known as Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria (CEP) or Gunthers disease is having manifestations linked to werewolves and vampires i.e. photosensitivity, taut skin, aversion to garlic and desire to drink blood as treatment for the disease.1-4 .

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com