Aplastic Anaemia Due to Parvovirus B19 in An Immunocompetent Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

Aplastic anaemia (AA) is a rare but potentially fatal disorder of the bone marrow characterised by severe pancytopenia and hypocellular marrow. Viral infections are recognised secondary causes of AA. Parvovirus B19 is more commonly associated with transient aplastic crisis or pure red cell aplasia rather than true aplastic anaemia. We report a case of severe aplastic anaemia in a previously healthy 29-year-old male, attributed to acute Parvovirus B19 infection. He presented with symptoms of anaemia, fever, and painful oral ulcers and was found to have severe pancytopenia with reticulocytopenia and hypocellular bone marrow. Extensive evaluation excluded autoimmune, malignant, and other infectious causes. Parvovirus B19 serology confirmed recent infection. Despite supportive care and immunosuppressive therapy with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG), the patient developed refractory neutropenic sepsis and succumbed to complications. This case highlights parvovirus B19 as a rare but important cause of acquired aplastic anaemia, as well as the challenges clinicians face in managing AA in resource-limited settings.