Fifth disease after immunoglobulin administration in an aids patient with parvovirus-induced red cell aplasia

Abstract

H uman parvovirus B19 infection causes a number of clinical illnesses. Fifth disease (erythema infectiosum) and B19 arthropathy are felt to be immune-mediated phenomena, ’ whereas transient aplastic crisis and nonimmune fetal hydrops are due to viral destruction of erythroid precursors.’ In patients with impaired antibody response, such as those with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), parvovirus infection can lead to persistent anemia through chronic destruction of erythroid precursors.” We present a case of a patient with AIDS and chronic parvovirus infection in whom extrinsic immunoglobulin administration appears to have precipitated an illness consistent with fifth disease and severe B19 arthropathy.