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Haematology
Parvovirus B19-associated pure red cell aplasia in the setting of HIV and competing health risks
  1. Anne-Cecilia van Marle1,2,
  2. Etienne Erasmus3,
  3. Liezl du Plessis4 and
  4. Quintin Andre van Staden1,2
  1. 1Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
  2. 2Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, Universitas Academic Hospital Laboratory, National Health Laboratory Service, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
  3. 3Family Medicine, Kakamas District Hospital, Kakamas, South Africa
  4. 4Paediatrics, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital, Kimberley, South Africa
  1. Correspondence to Dr Anne-Cecilia van Marle; VanMarleA{at}ufs.ac.za

Abstract

An HIV positive, early adolescent girl from rural Southern Africa required multiple hospital admissions for severe normocytic anaemia. As she was virologically suppressed on antiretrovirals, the initial anaemia workup focused on nutritional deficiencies and excluding chronic haemolysis. A lack of readily available expertise and resources contributed to a delay in investigations, during which she was treated symptomatically with blood transfusions. She was later transferred to a tertiary hospital where she was diagnosed with parvovirus B19 (B19V) associated pure red cell aplasia. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered with a good clinical response. The delayed diagnosis and treatment had a significant impact on her and her family and placed further strain on limited available transfusion resources. This case emphasises that B19V infection should not be overlooked as a cause of anaemia in people living with HIV, irrespective of virological and immunological HIV control. Environmental and age-group-specific risk factors should be considered.

  • Paediatrics (drugs and medicines)
  • Infections
  • Haematology (incl blood transfusion)

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2025-264966

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors A-CvM is the guarantor. All authors contributed to the manuscript through editing and final approval. A-CvM conceptualised the article and wrote the primary draft. Revisions and editing were done by the QAvS, EE and LdP.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.