Pure red cell aplasia caused by acute hepatitis a

Pure red cell aplasia is characterized as a normocytic anemia associated with reticulocytopenia and the absence of erythroblasts in the bone marrow. Pure red cell aplasia can be induced by various causes such as thymoma, connective tissue disease, viral infection, lymphoma, and adverse drug reactions. There have been only a few reports of pure red cell aplasia associated with acute viral hepatitis A. In Korea, no case of pure red cell aplasia caused by acute hepatitis A has yet been reported. We recently experienced a case of acute viral hepatitis A complicated by pure red cell aplasia. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids. Here we report this case and review the literature.

A case of pure red cell aplasia associated with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma

Pure red cell aplasia is a bone marrow failure characterized by a progressive normocytic anemia and reticulocytopenia without leucopenia and thrombocytopenia. It is associated with various hematologic diseases. However, pure red cell aplasia with angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma has rarely been reported. Here we describe a 43-year-old woman with pure red cell aplasia associated with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. She had severe anemia (hemoglobin 6.9 g/dL) and a low reticulocyte count (0.2%). Direct and indirect Coombs' tests were positive. A CT scan of the abdomen revealed marked hepatosplenomegaly and small multiple lymphadenopathies. A bone marrow biopsy revealed focal infiltration of abnormal lymphoid cells and absence of red cell precursors. Splenic biopsy was compatible with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma. Ultimately, diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia associated with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma was made. After initiating CHOP therapy, the patient achieved complete remission, which was accompanied, shortly thereafter, by a rise in hemoglobin levels which finally returned to normal.