Successful treatment with cyclosporine and high-dose gamma immunoglobulin for persistent parvovirus B19 infection in a patient with refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

We describe a patient with persistent pure red cell aplasia due to human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) infection during immunosuppressive therapy for refractory autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). The patient had been given corticosteroid (CS) and/or azathioprine for AIHA. During the course of treatment, reticulocyte count and hemoglobin levels decreased suddenly. Bone marrow aspirate showed erythroid lineage-specific aplasia with a few giant proerythroblasts, suggesting the presence of HPVB19 infection. The diagnosis of aplastic crisis due to HPVB19 infection was based on positive test results by polymerase chain reaction for HPVB19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody and B19 DNA. Although splenectomy followed by administration of high-dose gamma globulin (HDIG) and plasma exchange were performed, the crisis and hemolysis recurred. Aplastic crises occurred several times when the B19 IgG result became negative and the CD4+ lymphocyte count was less than 300/microL. The patient showed complete recovery from anemia after CS was switched to cyclosporin A (CsA) and intermittent administration of HDIG. The result for B19 IgG antibody was continuously positive, and the DNA result became negative after these treatments. The results in this case indicated that concomitant administration of CsA and intermittent administration of HDIG can lead to cure of chronic anemia due to HPVB19 infection in patients with refractory AIHA.