A Rare Case of Parvovirus B19 Infection Manifesting as Chronic Aplastic Anemia and Neutropenia in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patient

Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) virus, the only member of the Parvoviridae, which has a direct cytopathic effect on erythroid progenitor cells, resulting in an arrest of hematopoiesis and subsequent anemia. Less frequently, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia have been reported with the PVB19 infection. We report a rare case of chronic neutropenia due to PVB19 in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patient. A 51-year-old male with a medical history of HIV presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with complaints of generalized weakness. His laboratory tests were significant for severe anemia and new neutropenia. PVB19 DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was positive. PVB19 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG were reported negative. He was diagnosed with aplastic anemia from PVB19 and neutropenia. From June 2013 to January 2019, the patient was admitted 23 times with severe neutropenia and anemia, and on each occasion, PVB19 DNA by PCR was positive. During these multiple admissions, he was treated with antibiotics for neutropenic fever, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia, and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) skin abscesses. On each occasion, he required multiple blood transfusions, and he received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) that resulted in significant improvement of absolute neutrophil count (ANC) count. He had bone biopsy twice, which showed normal maturation of the myeloid series and reduced erythroid progenitor cells consistent with PVB19 infection. PVB19 DNA by PCR remains positive to date. Immunocompromised individuals usually develop a chronic infection from PVB19, and rarely infection with PVB19 can cause severe neutropenia that can be long-lasting and life-threatening. Early recognition and treatment with IVIG are the key to improve the clinical outcome.