Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) or erythroblastopenia refers to a type of anemia affecting the precursors to red blood cells but not to white blood cells. In PRCA, the bone marrow ceases to produce red blood cells. The condition has been first described by Paul Kaznelson in 1922.[1]
[edit] Causes
Pure red cell aplasia is regarded as an autoimmune disease. It may also be a manifestation of thymoma[2] or of viral infections such as HIV, herpes, parvovirus B19 (Fifth disease),[3] or hepatitis. Association of pure red cell aplasia with T large granular lymphocyte leukemia is also well recognized, especially in China.[4] Many cases of PRCA are considered idiopathic in that there is no discernible cause detected.[5]
It can be also associated with the administration of drugs, e.g., erythropoietin[6] or mycophenolic acid.[7]
[edit] Treatment
PRCA is considered an autoimmune disease as it will respond to immunosuppressant treatment such as ciclosporin in many patients,[8] though this approach is not without risk.[9]
It has also been shown to respond to treatments with Rituxan.
[edit] Popular Culture
In an episode of House, an athlete is diagnosed with Pure Red Cell Aplasia as a manifestation of a thymoma.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Kaznelson P (1922). "Zur Entstehung der Blutplättchen." Verh Dtsch Ges Inn Med. 34:557–8.
- ^ Hirokawa M, Sawada K, Fujishima N, et al. (January 2008). "Long-term response and outcome following immunosuppressive therapy in thymoma-associated pure red cell aplasia: a nationwide cohort study in Japan by the PRCA collaborative study group". Haematologica 93 (1): 27–33. doi:10.3324/haematol.11655. PMID 18166782. http://www.haematologica.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=18166782.
- ^ Geetha D, Zachary JB, Baldado HM, Kronz JD, Kraus ES (December 2000). "Pure red cell aplasia caused by Parvovirus B19 infection in solid organ transplant recipients: a case report and review of literature". Clin Transplant 14 (6): 586–91. PMID 11127313. http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/resolve/openurl?genre=article&sid=nlm:pubmed&issn=0902-0063&date=2000&volume=14&issue=6&spage=586.
- ^ Kwong YL, Wong KF (1998). "Association of pure red cell aplasia with T large granular lymphocyte leukaemia". J. Clin. Pathol. 51 (9): 672–5. PMID 9930071. PMC 500904. http://jcp.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9930071.
- ^ Miller AC, Rashid RM (2008). "Three episodes of acquired pure red cell aplasia restricted to pregnancy." J Perinat Med. 36 (3) :270-1. PMID 18576941.
- ^ Bennett CL, Luminari S, Nissenson AR, et al. (2004). "Pure red-cell aplasia and epoetin therapy". N. Engl. J. Med. 351 (14): 1403–8. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa040528. PMID 15459301. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=short&pmid=15459301&promo=ONFLNS19.
- ^ Petrochko C (2009). "FDA Strengthens Warning on Transplant Drug." Medpage Today. 14 August 2009. Accessed on 19 August 2009.
- ^ Sawada K, Hirokawa M, Fujishima N, et al. (August 2007). "Long-term outcome of patients with acquired primary idiopathic pure red cell aplasia receiving cyclosporine A. A nationwide cohort study in Japan for the PRCA Collaborative Study Group". Haematologica 92 (8): 1021–8. PMID 17640861. http://www.haematologica.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17640861.
- ^ Sawada K, Fujishima N, Hirokawa M (August 2008). "Acquired pure red cell aplasia: updated review of treatment". Br. J. Haematol. 142 (4): 505–14. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07216.x. PMID 18510682. PMC 2592349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2141.2008.07216.x.
[edit] External links
