Successful Immunosuppressive Treatment for Hepatitis-Associated Aplastic Anemia

Abstract

Recently, immunosuppressive treatment has been reported to be effective for aplastic anemia. But hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia has poor prognosis and often requires hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. And few cases have been reported about immunosuppressive treatment for this condition. Here we present a 10-year-old boy suffering from hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia from unknown causes. We have treated him with immunosuppressive drugs including antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporin, and steroid because his liver dysfunction continued. As a result, his liver function and pancytopenia improved without severe side effects. These results suggest that immunosuppressive treatment for hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia may be safe during active hepatitis and alternative treatment except for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.