[Posttransplant chronic anemia: parvovirus B19]

Abstract

Anemia is frequent in kidney transplant patients, and its prevalence varies according to posttransplant time and the adopted diagnostic criteria. Parvovirus B19 (PV B19) infection is an underdiagnosed cause of anemia in this particular population. To illustrate epidemiologic and clinical data regarding it, we present a case of PV B19 infection complicated by pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), pointing out the pitfalls we encountered in diagnosis and treatment. The use of viral DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and correct interpretation of morphological features of bone marrow histology are particularly important for the diagnosis of this condition in kidney transplant patients, who fail to develop a proper humoral response against PV B19, thus importantly decreasing the sensitivity of serological methods in this setting.