Human parvovirus B19‐induced transient pancytopenia in a child with hereditary spherocytosis

Abstract

We report a child with hereditary spherocytosis who developed human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19)‐induced transient pancytopenia. Symptoms of acute‐phase illness subsided promptly after infusion of gammaglobulin containing HPV B19 antibody. The HPV B19‐containing serum on admission inhibited not only erythroid colony growth but also myeloid and megakaryocyte colony growths. The inhibitory effect was abrogated by convalescent‐phase serum or gammaglobulin solution containing HPV B19 antibody. These findings suggest that HPV B19‐induced inhibition of haematopoiesis may be pathogenetic for transient bone marrow failure of the patient. The passive immunization may be effective in shortening the duration of acute‐phase illness of HPV B19 infection.