What are the potential complications of Parvovirus B19 infection in patients with underlying hemolytic disorders?

Potential complications of Parvovirus B19 infection in patients with underlying hemolytic disorders primarily include transient aplastic crisis, which is a sudden cessation of red blood cell production leading to severe anaemia. This occurs because Parvovirus B19 specifically infects erythroid progenitor cells, halting erythropoiesis. In patients with chronic hemolytic conditions such as sickle cell disease or hereditary spherocytosis, who already have increased red cell turnover, this can precipitate life-threatening anaemia requiring urgent medical intervention ¹ (Brown, 2000).

Other complications include exacerbation of baseline anaemia and potential development of pure red cell aplasia in immunocompromised individuals. Additionally, Parvovirus B19 infection may trigger or worsen autoimmune phenomena, which can complicate the clinical course in these patients (Meyer, 2003). Rarely, complications such as myocarditis or hydrops fetalis in pregnant women with hemolytic disorders have been reported, though these are less common (Bloise et al., 2024).

Management guidelines emphasise early recognition of aplastic crisis in this vulnerable group, with supportive care including transfusions as needed, and monitoring for secondary complications ¹. Recent literature reinforces the importance of considering Parvovirus B19 infection in any patient with hemolytic disease presenting with sudden anaemia and suggests that PCR testing for viral DNA can aid diagnosis (Brown, 2000; Bloise et al., 2024).