Bone marrow necrosis and human parvovirus associated infection preceding an Ph1+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A case of bone marrow necrosis associated with a serologically documented recent Parvovirus B 19 infection which preceded the development of PH1+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia is reported. No conclusions can be drawn on the basis of a single case but the question of the role of human Parvovirus B19 in the pathogenesis of bone marrow necrosis is discussed. It is suggested that the virus may act as a co-factor for the induction of bone marrow necrosis, in some cases.