Chronic Bone Marrow Failure Due to Persistent B19 Parvovirus Infection

The B19 parvovirus, which was serendipitously discovered in serum from blood-bank donors in 1975,1 has been associated with several human illnesses. B19 is the etiologic agent of the common childhood exanthem called fifth disease.2 Adults with fifth disease more commonly present with polyarthralgia than skin eruption, and B19 infection has frequently been detected in patients presenting with acute joint symptoms.3 , 4 In patients with underlying hemolysis, B19 infection is the cause of transient aplastic crisis, in which cessation of erythropoiesis leads to absolute reticulocytopenia and abrupt worsening of anemia.5 , 6 In utero infection with B19 has been associated with spontaneous abortion.7 8 9 Laboratory . . .