#1572 Recurrent parvovirus B19 infection-associated pure red cell aplasia in kidney transplantation
Authors: Paulo Núria , Gonçalves Pedro Lisboa , Cerqueira Ana , Araujo Joana , Sampaio Susana , Vasconcelos Manuel Pestana 
Published: May 2024

Background and Aims

Anemia is frequent in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, with multiple potential causes. Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) infection-associated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) becomes an important diagnosis in KT recipients experiencing persistent anemia, in whom other etiologies have been excluded. PVB19-associated PRCA is described in up to 27% of KT recipients with anemia and recurrent disease in up to 33% of cases. The authors describe a case of a recurrent PVB19-associated PRCA in a KT recipient.

Method

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Results

A 42-year-old male with chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology underwent KT from a deceased donor after circulatory death in January 2021. He received induction immunosuppression (IS) with thymoglobulin and maintenance IS with prednisolone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Three months after KT, the patient complained of progressive asthenia, and normocytic normochromic (NN) anemia was detected. A thorough investigation revealed normal leucocyte and platelet counts, low reticulocyte count, and no signs of bacterial infection, iron deficiency, or hemolysis; thyroid function, erythropoietin, folate, and vitamin B12 levels were normal, direct Coombs test was negative and no monoclonal spike was detected on protein electrophoresis. Endoscopic studies and cervico-thoraco-abdomino-pelvic computer tomography were unremarkable. Serum PCR of PVB19 was positive and confirmed the diagnosis of PVB19-associated PRCA. MMF was discontinued but anemia continued aggravating (nadir hemoglobin [Hg] level of 6.6 g/dL) with a sustained PVB19 load. He was admitted to the hospital, received blood transfusions, and was started on intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) 2 g/kg. A bone marrow aspirate was performed and was compatible with recovery after erythroid aplasia. The patient was discharged with Hg 8 g/dL and reduced PVB19 load.

Although MMF remained suspended, and close monitoring of Hg and PVB19 load was performed, four months later he developed recurrent PVB19-associated PRCA, which motivated another hospital admission for IVIG with excellent response. In addition, he presented kidney dysfunction, and a kidney biopsy revealed borderline acute T-cell mediated rejection. In this setting, IS was altered to TRANSFORM SCHEEME. Four months later, he presented a second recurrence of PVB19-associated PRCA, requiring new hospitalization and treatment with IVIG. Considering the recurrent PVB19-associated PRCA, in a patient with chronic allograft dysfunction, high immunologic risk, and the foscarnet's probable nephrotoxicity, preventive therapy with IVIG (0.4 mg/kg) every 4 weeks was started. After 7 months of preventive IVIG infusion, no relapse was identified, the Hg is 11.5 g/dL (and increasing, without erythropoiesis stimulants) and the PVB19 load remains low.

Conclusion

PVB19-associated PRCA is characterized by persistent NN anemia with low reticulocyte counts, which is unresponsive to erythropoietin. One significant risk factor is induction IS, particularly thymoglobulin. In the setting of solid organ transplants, the absence of PVB19 antibodies does not exclude this diagnosis and viral detection should be performed.

The initial therapeutic approach involves reducing IS. However, the risk of allograft rejection must be acknowledged. If this approach proves insufficient, IVIG treatment is usually successful.

In our patient, considering the facts that allograft rejection limits the reduction of IS, the need for blood transfusions, and the inherent immunization, in a young patient that will possibly require a second KT, the undesirable nephrotoxicity of foscarnet, the successful response to IVIG, and patient's quality of life, chronic IVIG therapy was thought to be the best choice and proved efficacious in preventing relapses.

Despite the absence of precise guidelines for chronic PVB19 infection management, maintenance therapy with prolonged IVIG infusions may be a therapeutic option for recurrent PRCA, but more studies are necessary to define the appropriate duration of treatment.