Pure Red Cell Aplasia After Kidney Transplantation: Parvovirus B19 Culprit or Coincidence?

Relapsing anemia associated with parvovirus B19 infection in a kidney transplant recipient: A case report and review of the literature

Key clinical message

PB19 infection should be considered an uncommon cause of posttransplant anemia in renal transplant recipients, particularly those whose anemia is not associated with common etiologies. IVIG treatment and reduced immunosuppression could be beneficial.

Abstract

Parvovirus B19-associated relapsing anemia is rare in kidney transplant recipients. Herein, we report a case of relapsed anemia due to parvovirus B19 infection in a 53-year-old woman 18 months after kidney transplantation. The patient presented with palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, and lethargy. Early laboratory findings showed a WBC count of 6.000/μL, RBC count of 1.89/μL, hemoglobin (Hb) 3.5 g/dL, hematocrit (Hct) 15%, platelet count 266.000/μL, MCV 89, reticulocyte count 0.8%, and serum iron 221 μg/dL. Upon further evaluation, the RT-PCR test for BK polyomavirus and cytomegalovirus (CMV) was negative, while the parvovirus B19 RT-PCR was positive. The patient was treated with blood transfusion and IVIG 25 g daily for 5 days. Two months after discharge, the patient presented, complaining of palpitation, shortness of breath, and dizziness, with RBC 2.7/μL, Hb 6.5 g/dL, Hct 25%, and MCV 85. Again, the CMV RT-PCR was negative, while the parvovirus B19 RT-PCR was positive. Tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid were stopped, and IVIG 25 g daily for 5 days was administered. Consequently, her Hb level increased to 9 g/dL, and the patient was discharged with prednisolone 5 mg daily and cyclosporine 50 mg daily instead of tacrolimus. Viral infection, particularly PB19 infection, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of posttransplantation anemia in KTRs. IVIG treatment and modification of immunosuppressive medications are suggested standard therapies for such patients. The function of transplanted kidneys should be carefully monitored during treatment.

The detection, treatment of parvovirus B19 infection induced anemia in solid organ transplants: a case series and literature review of 194 patients

BACKGROUND

There are no optimal diagnostic, treatment and post-infection surveillance strategies for parvovirus B19 infection in solid organ transplantation (SOT) recipients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of all PVB19 infected cases confirmed by qPCR among SOT recipients at our institution over a 3-year period and reviewed the literature from 1990 to 2021.

RESULTS

Eight kidney and two heart transplant patients with refractory anemia had PVB19 infection. The viral DNA load in peripheral blood ranged from 2.62 × 10² to 8.31 × 10⁶ copies/mL. Two patients with the lowest PVB19 DNA load only reduced the use of immunosuppressants and anemia was relieved. Eight received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 g/kg/day). The median time to anemia improvement (hemoglobulin>100g/L) was 16 days (8-70 days) after treatment. One patient had a PVB19 relapse and viral DNA load > 1.00 × 10⁸ copies/mL at diagnosis. A total of 86 studies involving 194 SOTs were screened from the literature, and the most common symptom was anemia and low reticulocyte count. PVB19 DNA was detected in all cases. Of that, 91.4% of cases received IVIG, 53.8% received IVIG and immunosuppression reduction, 6.5% of cases showed reduced immunosuppression without IVIG, and 2.1% did not receive any special treatment. The recurrence rate was 17.5%.

CONCLUSION

PVB19 infection is a cause of anemia after SOT, and treatment mainly relies on IVIG and/or immunosuppression reduction.

Parvovirus B19 in kidney transplantation: key points and essential pitfalls to know

Parvovirus B19 infection is s new viral threat in post-kidney transplantation. It is a viral infection often acquired from the donor, occurring in young transplant patients during the first post-kidney transplantation months, and with a non-specific clinico-biological picture. The hallmark symptom is regenerative anaemia which may be severe, requiring blood transfusion. The C3 and C4 complement fractions are reduced and constitute an early and inexpensive diagnostic marker. Diagnosis is often delayed due to the non-specific clinico-biological picture. However, severe anaemia and hypocomplementemia are early and suggestive signs of parvovirus B19 infection. Levels of parvovirus B19 DNA, as determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), are often very high and tend to decrease slowly over several months. Treatment is based on adaptive reduction of immunosuppression, adequate in the forms with few symptoms, discontinuation of antiproliferative agents, or a switch to other molecules associated with intravenous immunoglobulins in the severe and highly symptomatic forms. Screening for other concomitant viral infections, particularly for cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, and BK virus is systematic. Relapses are quite frequent during the first-year post-transplantation. Clinical-biological follow-up aims to detect any recurrence of the parvovirus B19 infection, the occurrence of parvovirus B19-related glomerulopathy, and acute rejection. Parvovirus B19 infection is a new viral threat in post-kidney transplantation and requires broader and/or randomised studies to better establish the diagnostic and therapeutic approach.