[Human parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crisis in an elderly man with intestinal hemorrhage]

An elderly man with an intestinal hemorrhage from bowel diverticulosis developed human parvovirus B19-induced aplastic crisis. A 71-year-old man noticed occasional tarry stools and at the same time showed fever, arthralgia and severe anemia. Blood counts revealed Hgb 5.3g/dl, reticulocytes 0%, and WBC 1,900/microliters. Bone marrow examination showed hypocellular marrow with rare erythroid precursors (4.8%). A few giant proerythroblasts were found in the bone marrow smears. A diagnosis of parvovirus B19 infection was made because of detection of B19-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. Parvovirus B19 infection should be carefully checked for in patients with hemorrhage as well as those with hemolysis.