Pure red cell aplasia caused by parvovirus B19 in two patients without chronic hemolysis

Infection with human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) induces acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). Chronic hemolytic anemia is well known as an underlying condition. However, additional factors have been recognized to accompany parvoviral PRCA; however, there are only limited reports on iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) and rituximab-induced B-cell dysfunction. We report two patients with PVB19-associated PRCA confirmed by positivity of viral DNA. Although they had no chronic hemolysis, patient 1 had IDA, and patient 2 had remitted small-lymphocytic lymphoma treated with rituximab-containing chemotherapy. Absence of reticulocytes in peripheral blood and marked depletion of erythroid precursors in bone marrow were observed both. Whereas patient 1 received only symptomatic therapy because anemia was not severe, patient 2 was treated with steroids, as PRCA etiology was at first uncertain, and immunological PRCA was not excluded. Both showed rapid increase of reticulocyte counts and recovery from anemia. Although immunoglobulin is considered effective for parvoviral PRCA, notable adverse reactions have been reported. When anemic symptom is not severe, reticulocyte observation only is recommended. The effects of steroids should also be re-evaluated. Optimal treatment according to disease severity remains to be established.     

A clinical review of antibody-mediated pure red cell aplasia.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematologic disorder characterized by severe anemia from selectivefailure of the bone marrow to produce mature red blood cells. This disorder can be congenital or acquired from various causes. The development of PRCA in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) for renal anemia has increased in recent years. This review will enable nurses to recognize the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic options for rHuEPO-induced PRCA.     

High-dose methylprednisolone therapy in pure red cell aplasia

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience using high-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) treatment in a patient with primary acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) who failed to respond to conventional prednisone therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 29-year-old woman reported weakness, was easily fatigued, and had developed palpitations. On physical examination, pallor and splenomegaly were detected. On blood smear, mild macrocytic anemia was seen. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy revealed normocellularity, erythroid hypoplasia (E/M: 1/10), reduction in erythroid precursors, and normal megakaryocytes and myeloid series. No disease associated with secondary PRCA was detected. Oral prednisone 1 mg/kg (total 60 mg/d) was started as conventional treatment. However, the patient's status deteriorated and the hemoglobin concentration fell from 6.5 to 5.5 g/dL within the first week of hospitalization. HDMP was then begun. Treatment protocol consisted of methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg for 4 days, 20 mg/kg for 3 days, 10 mg/kg for 3 days, 5 mg/kg for 4 days, and 1 mg/kg for 2 weeks. The patient's hemoglobin concentration increased from 5.5 to 14.2 g/dL over a period of 9 weeks. Transient hyperglycemia and cushingoid appearance were seen during prednisone treatment. DISCUSSION: Exactly how steroids enhance erythropoiesis in PRCA is unknown. It seems likely that steroids render abnormal erythroid progenitors more sensitive to marrow growth factors, thereby permitting them to differentiate to functional precursors. HDMP treatment had been rarely used in patients with primary acquired PRCA. Limited studies using HDMP have shown variable results. CONCLUSIONS: HDMP treatment may be considered safe and effective in patients with primary acquired PRCA who do not respond to conventional steroid therapy.     

Acute hypersensitivity reaction to ferric gluconate in a premedicated patient

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of an acute hypersensitivity reaction to ferric gluconate in a patient premedicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and prochlorperazine. CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old female with persistent iron deficiency anemia was initiated on parenteral iron therapy with ferric gluconate 125 mg intravenously over 10 minutes. The patient initially tolerated this first dose well; however, she later experienced nausea, dizziness, and minor tongue swelling. On her second course of therapy, the woman was premedicated with dexamethasone, diphenhydramine, and prochlorperazine prior to the same dose of ferric gluconate infused over 30 minutes. Subsequently, the patient developed epigastric pain, nausea, swelling of her lips and tongue, and hypotension. The symptoms abated after administration of diphenhydramine, dexamethasone, morphine, cimetidine, intravenous fluids, and oxygen. She was discharged after a short stay in the emergency department observation unit. DISCUSSION: Data are limited on the relative safety of ferric gluconate compared with iron dextran. Ferric gluconate does not appear to be associated with severe life-threatening events; however, the possibility of an acute hypersensitivity reaction with this product does exist. In this case, use of the Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between the hypersensitivity reaction and ferric gluconate. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals should be aware of this serious but rare event and encouraged to further document and report these events.     

Exacerbation of autoimmune hemolytic anemia associated with pure red cell aplasia after COVID-19: A case report

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) are rare complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Herein, we report the case of a 28-year-old Japanese man who showed severe AIHA exacerbation associated with PRCA after COVID-19. AIHA was diagnosed and maintained for 5 years. Approximately 4 weeks after COVID-19, the patient developed severe anemia (hemoglobin level, 3.4 g/dL). Laboratory test results confirmed hemolytic exacerbation of IgG-mediated warm-type AIHA. Despite the hemolysis phase, the bone marrow revealed extreme hypoplasia of erythroblasts with a decreased reticulocyte count, similar to that observed in patients with PRCA. During oral prednisolone treatment, the patient recovered from anemia and showed increased reticulocyte count and reduced hypoplasia of marrow erythroblasts. Exacerbation of AIHA and PRCA was triggered by COVID-19 because other causes were ruled out. Although this case report highlights that COVID-19 could lead to hematological complications such as AIHA and PRCA, the exact mechanisms remain unclear.     

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease associated with immunosuppressive cyclophosphamide dosing and roxithromycin

OBJECTIVE: To report on a patient developing hepatic veno-occlusive disease while being treated with immunosuppressive doses of cyclophosphamide (< or =2 mg/kg). CASE SUMMARY: A 66-year-old woman with autoimmune hemolytic anemia developed hepatic veno-occlusive disease while being treated with immunosuppressive cyclophosphamide 100 mg/day in combination with roxithromycin (total dose 600 mg/day). After all drugs were stopped, the patient recovered within 2 weeks. The Naranjo probability scale indicated a probable relationship between veno-occlusive disease and treatment with cyclophosphamide in this patient. DISCUSSION: Since roxithromycin inhibits CYP3A4, which is involved with cyclophosphamide metabolism, a drug-drug interaction could have been responsible. In addition, roxithromycin is an inhibitor of the drug transporter P-glycoprotein, possibly leading to accumulation of cyclophosphamide in endothelial cells. Alternatively, since cyclophosphamide has been reported to induce apoptosis, roxithromycin could have rendered endothelial cells more vulnerable for apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: In specific patients, cyclophosphamide can be associated with hepatic veno-occlusive disease at immunosuppressive doses.     

Acute onset of severe dilated cardiomyopathy during bromocriptine therapy

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMP) in a patient on bromocriptine therapy for a microprolactinoma. CASE SUMMARY: A 31-year-old African American female, who had been receiving bromocriptine 5 mg orally daily for a microprolactinoma during the preceding month, developed severe DCMP. An echocardiogram showed a markedly dilated left ventricle with severe reduction in the left-ventricular ejection fraction in the absence of any other identifiable causes of DCMP such as a peripartum state, ethanol use, preceding systemic viral illness, chronic hypocalcemia, chronic hypophosphatemia, or chronic uncontrolled tachycardia. She improved substantially (both symptomatically and echocardiographically) after cessation of bromocriptine therapy and initiation of supportive treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF). She showed no recurrence of CHF at a follow-up visit 2 months after withdrawal of the supportive care. The patient was not rechallenged with bromocriptine due to the clinical/ethical gravity of this probable adverse effect. DISCUSSION: Although cardiopulmonary adverse effects have been reported with the use of cabergoline (another dopamine agonist), to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of severe life-threatening DCMP associated with bromocriptine therapy. Causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale revealed that the adverse drug event was probable. CONCLUSIONS: Bromocriptine was probably associated with DCMP in a patient being treated for a microprolactinoma. Severe DCMP needs to be considered a potentially life-threatening but reversible adverse effect of bromocriptine therapy for microprolactinoma of the pituitary gland.     

口服环磷酰胺治疗难治性T细胞大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病合并纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血的疗效

目的:探讨小剂量环磷酰胺口服治疗难治性T-大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病(T-LGLL)伴纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血(PRCA)的疗效。方法:报告1例T-LGLL合并PRCA患者的临床表现、实验室检查特征,及应用环孢素A联合强的松无效后给予口服小剂量环磷酰胺的治疗经过,并结合文献进行讨论。结果:患者为老年女性,临床进展缓慢,以贫血为主要表现,骨髓红系细胞增生显著低下,血涂片以大颗粒淋巴细胞为主,免疫分型及基因重排符合T-LGLL,应用环孢素A联合强的松治疗5个月无效,需要依赖反复输血。二线改用环磷酰胺100 mg/d口服,血红蛋白恢复至正常水平,停药1年仍维持疗效。结论:T-LGLL合并PRCA少见,小剂量环磷酰胺可作为有效的治疗方案。     

伴有自身免疫性溶血性贫血及纯红系再生障碍性贫血的血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤

血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤（AITL）是一种外周T细胞淋巴瘤,常合并自身免疫现象,如免疫相关性血细胞减少症,是NHL中的少见类型。为了研究AITL的临床特征,病理表现和有效的治疗方法,对1例37岁男性患者进行了血常规检查、骨髓检测、单个核细胞的流式细胞术检测、Coombs试验、血清学检测、CT和免疫组织化学测定等。结果查明,患者有广泛淋巴结肿大、肝脾肿大,颈部淋巴结活检表明为血管免疫母细胞性T细胞淋巴瘤;患者重度贫血,网织红细胞降低,Coombs实验阳性,骨髓红系增生低下,提示并发温抗体型自身免疫性溶血性贫血（AIHA）和纯红系再生障碍性贫血（PRCA）;经过CHOP-E方案化疗后,合并的AIHA和PRCA以及AITL浸润症状均消失。结论：成功地确诊了合并有AIHA和PRCA的AITL,淋巴结活检和骨髓检测意义大,CHOP-E化疗方案对此种AITL有一定治疗效果。     

Hemolysis and methemoglobinemia secondary to rasburicase administration

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia developing after rasburicase administration to a patient with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. CASE SUMMARY: A 50-year-old African American man was hospitalized with new onset seizure, diabetic ketoacidosis, respiratory failure, and acute renal failure. Serum uric acid concentrations were elevated, and the patient was treated with one dose of intravenous rasburicase 22.5 mg for acute renal failure secondary to hyperuricemia. Routine arterial blood gas analyses performed after rasburicase was administered revealed elevated methemoglobin concentrations, which peaked at 14.7%. Hemolytic anemia developed as evidenced by a fall in blood hemoglobin from 14.8 to 5.3 g/dL. The patient made a full recovery following aggressive fluid therapy, blood transfusions, and respiratory support. G6PD deficiency was subsequently confirmed. The Naranjo probability scale indicated that rasburicase was a probable cause of hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. DISCUSSION: Rasburicase is contraindicated in patients with G6PD deficiency as it may cause hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia. As of September 26, 2005, simultaneous occurrence of hemolytic anemia and methemoglobinemia has not been reported in patients receiving rasburicase. CONCLUSIONS: As of September 26, 2005, screening for G6PD deficiency should be performed whenever possible prior to chemotherapy administration in patients at risk of developing tumor lysis syndrome.     

Aplastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia

Aplastic anemia (AA) is a disorder characterized by the presence of pancytopenia and a hypocellular bone marrow. Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA), a part of a unique form of AA, is a rare condition of profound anemia characterized by the absence of reticulocytes and the virtual absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. AA can be effectively treated by either stem cell transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. However, PRCA has so far been treated by several different regimens which are largely empirically selected since so little control data are available. This issue focuses on the current progress in the treatment of acquired AA and PRCA.     

Successful desensitization to oxaliplatin

OBJECTIVE: To report the successful desensitization of a patient to oxaliplatin utilizing an 8-hour desensitization regimen in a controlled environment. CASE SUMMARY: A 53-year-old white woman with metastatic colon cancer was receiving oxaliplatin, bevacizumab, and capecitabine every 2 weeks, with a partial response to therapy. On her fifth cycle of this regimen, she experienced diaphoresis, hypotension, nausea, abdominal cramping, and coryza. According to the Naranjo probability scale, oxaliplatin, and not bevacizumab, was the probable cause of the hypersensitivity reaction. The woman continued therapy with capecitabine and bevacizumab, resulting in stable disease. Due to her initial response to the oxaliplatin-based regimen, it was decided to attempt desensitization to oxaliplatin in a controlled, inpatient environment. An 8-hour desensitization schedule was employed, and the patient successfully completed an additional 3 cycles with full-dose oxaliplatin. DISCUSSION: Hypersensitivity reactions to platinum-containing compounds are well described and potentially life threatening. With expanded use of oxaliplatin in various malignancies, an increased number of hypersensitivity reactions will likely be reported. Patients with previous hypersensitivity reactions to carboplatin are at risk for similar reactions to oxaliplatin. We achieved successful desensitization for oxaliplatin using increased concentrations of the drug over an 8-hour period concomitant with oral and intravenous corticosteroids and histamine blockers. CONCLUSIONS: Hypersensitivity reactions to platinum compounds may result in discontinuation of active therapies in patients with metastatic disease. Desensitization to oxaliplatin is possible utilizing this approach.     

Alfuzosin-induced acute hepatitis in a patient with chronic liver disease

OBJECTIVE: To report a new case of probable alfuzosin-induced hepatitis. CASE SUMMARY: An 80-year-old man was evaluated because of jaundice and pruritus. He was diagnosed as having Child-Pugh A chronic liver disease due to hepatitis B virus. Other etiologies of hepatitis were appropriately ruled out, and the hepatitis B was non-replicative. Therefore, elevated liver enzyme levels were ascribed to alfuzosin treatment. DISCUSSION: Although alfuzosin-related mixed-type hepatotoxicity has been previously reported, this is the first published case describing probable hepatocellular-type hepatotoxicity resulting from use of alfuzosin in a patient with underlying chronic liver disease. According to the Naranjo probability scale, alfuzosin was a probable cause of the hepatotoxicity. The mechanism of alfuzosin-induced liver damage is unknown. Several features, such as absence of predictable dose-dependent toxicity of alfuzosin in previous studies and absence of hypersensitivity manifestations in our case, are suggestive of a metabolic type of idiosyncratic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Alfuzosin rarely causes hepatotoxicity; however, clinicians must be alert for this adverse effect while using alfuzosin.     

T细胞大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病合并纯红细胞再生障碍的临床特征

目的 提高对T细胞大颗粒淋巴细胞白血病(T-LGLL)合并纯红细胞再生障碍(PRCA)的认识.方法 回顾性分析我院2000年1月至2006年8月间确诊的T-LGLL合并PRCA患者临床及实验室检查特征.结果14例T-LGLL合并PRCA患者中男7例,女7例,中位年龄61岁.患者呈慢性病程,主要表现贫血症状,9例患者脾脏轻、中度肿大,1例患者同时伴轻度肝脏肿大,1例患者浅表淋巴结肿大.初诊时患者中位Hb 61.5 g/L,中位WBC 4.30(2.70～7.95)×109/L,中位淋巴细胞比例0.59(0.30～0.87),外周血大颗粒淋巴细胞中位比例和中位绝对值分别为0.36(0.14～0.77)和1.9(0.4～4.5)×109/L,骨髓有核细胞中大颗粒淋巴细胞中位比例0.165(0.085～0.410).部分患者血清学检查异常.12例患者常规染色体检查无异常.给予环孢素和(或)糖皮质激素为主的免疫抑制治疗,患者总有效率91%.结论 合并PRCA的T-LGLL患者临床及实验室特征与经典T-LGLL者相似,以贫血为突出表现,脾脏肿大多见.外周血白细胞正常或减少,大颗粒淋巴细胞相对增多.对免疫抑制治疗反应良好.     

重组人促红细胞生成素致纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血5例临床观察

目的观察重组人促红细胞生成素致纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血(PRCA)患者经激素/环孢素干预的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2008年4月至2011年4月在吉林大学第二医院血液净化中心透析且明确诊断为PRCA的5例患者,给予激素/环孢素干预,并观察用药前后贫血纠正情况、用药情况及临床疗效。结果 5例患者中2例单独使用足量激素干预有效,2例无效患者将激素减至中等剂量并加用环孢素后贫血改善。此4例患者血红蛋白维持在70-90g/L不再继续上升,重新应用促红细胞生成素后血红蛋白恢复到正常水平。该4例患者在停用激素/环孢素后随访8个月以上未复发。另一例(病例5)患者口服激素45mg/日,应用3个月后无效,换用环孢素,贫血得到初步改善,未应用促红细胞生成素,血红蛋白维持在70-80g/L。结论足量激素对部分患者有效,部分无效患者加用环孢素能够有效改善贫血,在病情得到稳定控制后,可加用促红细胞生成素进一步纠正贫血。     

Hydroxyurea associated with concomitant occurrence of diffuse longitudinal melanonychia and multiple squamous cell carcinomas in an elderly subject

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyurea is a cytostatic agent used to treat myeloproliferative disorders and long-term treatment is associated with mucocutaneous adverse events and nail hyperpigmentation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to report the concomitant occurrence of multiple squamous cell carcinomas and diffuse nail hyperpigmentation associated with hydroxyurea treatment, and to describe a successful therapeutic approach using imiquimod 5%. CASE SUMMARY: We report the case of an 81-year-old white man (weight, 82 kg; height, 173 cm; photodamaged type II skin) affected with cirrhosis of the liver, chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, and a 3-year history of longitudinal melanonychia and periungual hyperpigmentation. His current medication regimen was hydroxyurea (500 mg BID), iron (525 mg QD), and folic acid (15 mg QD) for the myeloproliferative disease and the associated anemia; spironolactone (25 mg BID) and furosemide (20 mg BID) for the complications of cirrhosis; allopurinol (100 mg QD) to treat gout; and theophylline (250 mg QD) for chronic bronchitis. The patient presented with several actinic keratoses, squamous cell carcinomas, and multiple keratoacanthomas, one of which was pigmented. Both the longitudinal melanonychia and the multiple skin cancers first appeared after approximately 6 months of hydroxyurea treatment. A correlation between dose and manifestation was investigated but none was found. Based on the Naranjo algorithm, the adverse reaction observed was probably related to the hydroxyurea treatment (score = 6); however, the hydroxyurea chemotherapy could not be discontinued because of the myeloproliferative disorder. Complete remission was observed after 6 to 10 weeks of imiquimod 5% (10 mg/cm of skin cancer) treatment. The patient completed a 10-month follow-up, maintaining a complete resolution of the treated skin lesions; however, the development of a painful hand ulcer, possibly associated with the hydroxyurea, and new skin cancers were observed at the last follow-up visit. CONCLUSIONS: We report this case of the concomitant appearance of multiple skin cancers and nail changes associated with hydroxyurea use. The progressive appearance of squamous epitheliomas and other cutaneous adverse events, such as the ulcer, suggests that alternative chemotherapies should be considered for the treatment of myeloproliferative diseases.     

Measures against hyperuricemia

It is suggested that hyperuricemia has a pathogenetical role in the onset and progression of hypertension and renal disease in both clinical studies and animal experiments. The treatment of hyperuricemia by allopurinol was reported to cause improvement of hypertension and renal function, and the withdrawal of allopurinol treatment was also reported to bring worsening of hypertension and acceleration of the rate of loss of renal function in the patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the necessity of treatment against hyperuricemia in CKD has to be warranted by large scale clinical experiments in the future.     

Pure red cell aplasia accompanied by COVID-19 successfully treated using cyclosporine

A 67-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in March 2020. Mechanical ventilation was initiated 8 days after admission, due to severe respiratory failure. Multiple severe complications such as liver dysfunction, arrhythmia, brain infarction, and venous thromboembolism were also observed. We initially diagnosed Coombs test-positive warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Corticosteroids proved ineffective and anemia worsened with severe erythroid hypoplasia (0.5% erythroblasts in bone marrow), so we diagnosed pure red cell aplasia (PRCA). We also identified massive infiltration of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes expressing CD8, granzyme B, and perforin in bone marrow. Systemic cyclosporine was started, with full resolution of anemia and no need for blood transfusions after 4 weeks. We believe that this represents the first report of COVID-19-associated PRCA successfully treated using cyclosporine.     

获得性纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血的细胞免疫发病机制的研究进展

纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血是以骨髓单纯红系造血衰竭或紊乱为特征的一组导质性疾病，分为先天性和获得性两类。细胞免疫介导的红系造血损伤可能是获得性纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血的主要发病机制。本就近年来关于获得性纯红细胞再生障碍性贫血的T细胞异常、T细胞亚群改变、异常T细胞的克隆性以及细胞因子在发病过程中所起的作用做一综述。