Parvovirus-associated pure red cell aplasia − can we still make a diagnosis in resource-constrained setting by conventional laboratory method?

Human parvovirus B19 has been linked with a wide variety of disorders in both pediatric and adult population. Commonly seen manifestation of the virus in patients with persistent infection of parvovirus B19 is suppression of erythropoiesis, leading to transient aplastic anemia and pure red cell aplasia. Host immunity plays an important role in disease expression, and the complications are generally reported in immunocompromised host or with underlying red cell disorders. We report a case of pure red cell aplasia in a previously healthy boy without any underlying disease, following asymptomatic infection with parvovirus B19. The diagnosis was based on clinical grounds with help of morphological findings typical of parvovirus B19 infection.