Recurrent Parvovirus B19-Associated Pure Red Cell Aplasia: A Challenging Disease in Kidney Transplantation

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 (PVB19)-associated pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is an important diagnosis to consider in kidney transplant (KT) recipients experiencing persistent anemia, in whom other etiologies have been excluded. Its management poses a challenge since reducing immunosuppression (IS) to address the viral infection needs to be carefully balanced with the increased risk of allograft rejection. The authors describe a case of a 43-year-old male with a history of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology who underwent a KT from a deceased donor after circulatory death in January 2021. In the 1st year post-KT, the patient was repeatedly admitted due to the recurrence of PVB19-associated PRCA, requiring blood transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). IS was initially adjusted with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) suspension and later transitioned to a TRANSFORM scheme with prednisolone, tacrolimus, and everolimus. Due to deteriorating kidney function, a kidney biopsy was performed and revealed borderline acute T-cell mediated rejection with significant signs of chronicity (50% of interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy). To guarantee infection control, IS was not increased. Considering the recurrence of PVB19-associated PRCA, despite the use of a TRANSFORM IS scheme in a patient with chronic allograft dysfunction and high immunologic risk, maintenance therapy with IVIG (0.4 mg/kg) every 4 weeks was started. After 9 months of maintenance therapy, no relapse was identified. To promote an individualized IS prescription, an ImmunoBiogram® was recently performed and an IS reduction is planned, followed by an ImmunoBiogram® control, which will potentially allow the suspension of IVIG maintenance therapy. The diagnosis and management of PVB19-associated PRCA is challenging. Regarding recurrent disease, prolonged IVIG treatment appears to be a useful treatment strategy, but more studies are necessary to ascertain its role. It is also fundamental to tailor the IS as much as possible to the individualized immunologic profile of the patients to prevent overimmunosuppression.