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A case of parvovirus B19-induced pure red cell aplasia in a child following heart transplant

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2014

Eoin Kelleher
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Corrina McMahon
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Haematology, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Colin J. McMahon*
Affiliation:
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
*
Correspondence to: Dr C. J. McMahon, FRCPI, Cardiac Department, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin 12, Ireland; Tel: +01 4096160; Fax: +01 4096181; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

We describe a case of an 11-year-old boy who underwent orthotopic heart transplant for dilated cardiomyopathy. He developed a normocytic, normochromic anaemia with a low reticulocyte count 1 month after transplant. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, which showed a mildly hypocellular bone marrow with few red blood cell precursors with giant pro-erythroblasts indicative of a pure red cell aplasia. Parvovirus B19 polymerase chain reaction in the blood was positive 2 months after transplant. Intravenous immunoglobulin administration resulted in a resolution of the anaemia over several months. Unexplained pure red cell aplasia in immunosuppressed patients should alert one to the possibility of parvovirus B19 infection.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2014 

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