Zidovudine induced pure red cell aplasia: a case report

Zidovudine, a Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NRTI) is one of the earliest antiretroviral agents used as a combination in the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV infection. Its use is however not without adverse effect particularly bone marrow aplasia leading to varying degrees of cytopenias predominantly anaemia. This calls for adequate evaluation and monitoring of patients on this drug. Its major side effect of anaemia limits its use in some patients. We report a case of Zidovudine induced anaemia and bone marrow aplasia in a patient infected with HIV.

The Hospital case note of a 27 year old widow with HIV infection and anaemia, who has been on HAART (Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine) for one year, was reviewed.

She presented with severe anaemia (PCV of 0.05), White cell and platelet counts were within normal limits and reticulocyte count of 0.001%. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were diagnostic of pure red cell aplasia on a background hypocellular marrow. She was transfused with four (4) units of packed cells and Zidovudine was replaced with Stavudine. She made remarkable improvement and remains transfusion independent afterwards.

Zidovudine is well a known cause of anaemia and thus should be used with caution in the initiation of antiretroviral therapy.