Transient aplastic crisis in a leukemic child caused by parvovirus B19 infection

Acute parvovirus B19 infection was confirmed in an 8-year-old girl with acute lymphoblastic leukemia on maintenance therapy by electron microscopy, DNA, and serological techniques. Clinical manifestations were typical of severe anemia, fever, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Increased levels of serum erythropoietin were detected in the course of the infection. The patient's recovery was supported by corticosteroids, red blood cell transfusions, G-CSF, and commercial immunoglobulin preparations.