Pure Red Cell Aplasia Secondary to Parvovirus B19 Infection as a Rare Cause of Anemia in a Dialysis Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 infection can cause chronic pure red cell aplasia in immunosuppressed hosts or acute and transient aplastic crises in immunocompetent hosts. In dialysis patients, only transient aplastic crisis induced by parvovirus B19 infection has been reported. We herein report the first case of an adult dialysis patient who developed chronic pure red cell aplasia associated with parvovirus B19 infection. Repeated pneumonia and heart failure may contribute to an immunocompromised status, making the patient more vulnerable to parvovirus B19 infection. This case expands on the differential diagnosis of chronic anemia in patients undergoing dialysis.