LabQ Clinical Exercise 8: Giant Proerythroblasts: Parvovirus B19–Associated Pure Red Cell Aplasia in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

ALEEIA JOHNSON, MD 

DENIZ PEKER, MD

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Primary Audience: Phlebotomists, Laboratory Technologists, Laboratory Directors

Secondary Audience: Pathologists, Clinical Scientists (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants, Residents, and Students

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·         discuss the etiology of parvovirus B19-associated pure red cell aplasia;

·         summarize the changes in laboratory values suggestive of parvovirus B19-associated pure red cell aplasia;

·         identify the morphologic characteristics of parvovirus B19-infected erythroid precursors;

·         predict the ancillary testing tools that would be ordered to diagnose parvovirus B19 infection; 

·         predict the results of ancillary testing tools in a patient with parvovirus B19 infection; 

·         formulate a plan and timeline for communicating marrow findings concerning for parvovirus B19 infection; and

·         discuss effective treatment modalities for pure red cell aplasia caused by parvovirus B19.