Dose-by-dose virological and hematological responses to intravenous immunoglobulin in an immunocompromised patient with persistent parvovirus B19 infection

Case Report: Parvovirus B19 infection complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a heart-lung transplant patient

Immunosuppressed patients can contract parvovirus B19, and some may experience hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Herein, we describe the first report of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a heart-lung transplant patient with concomitant parvovirus B19 infection. The patient was treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) and the features of HLH were remission. This instance emphasizes the significance of parvovirus B19 monitoring in transplant patients with anemia; if HLH complicates the situation, IVIG may be an adequate remedy. Finally, a summary of the development in diagnosing and managing parvovirus B19 infection complicated by HLH is provided.

Systemic viral infection in children receiving chemotherapy for acute leukemia

Systemic viral diseases frequently occur in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, but data in children receiving chemotherapy for acute leukemia are scarce. We therefore collected and analyzed the published data on symptomatic infection from cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus, parvovirus B19, or adenovirus in pediatric acute leukemia. Reports on 68 children were identified, of whom 16 patients have died from the infection. Further studies have to (1) evaluate the true incidence of these infections in pediatric acute leukemia, (2) their impact on outcome, and (3) whether a subpopulation of patients could benefit from screening and prophylactic strategies.

Molecular Study of Parvovirus B19 Infection in Children with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Background:

Parvovirus B19 is a common viral infection in children. Nearby evidences are present about its association with acute leukemia, especially acute lymphoblast leukemia. Nevertheless, scanty reports have discussed any role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Purpose:

To evaluate the frequency of virological markers of B19 infection including its DNA along with specific immunoglobulins G (IgG) and M (IgM) among children with newly diagnosed AML. Besides, describing the clinical importance of Parvovirus B19 infection in those patients.

Patients and methods:

A case-control retrospective study was conducted on 48 children recently diagnosed with AML before and during chemotherapy induction and 60 healthy control. Specific serum IgM and IgG levels were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) and DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results:

Parvovirus DNA was detected in 20 patients with AML. IgM was found in sera of four patients and one case had positive DNA and IgG (5%). Patients with recent parvovirus B19 infection had a significantly reduced hemoglobin levels, RBCs counts, platelet counts, neutrophil counts and absolute lymphocytosis (p=0.01, p=0.0001, p=0.01, p=0.02, p=0.0003, respectively). There were no clinical findings with statistically significant association to recent infection. Half of the patients with AML had positive PCR and/or IgM for parvovirus B19. Among children with AML under chemotherapy, there were reduced hemoglobin levels (P=0.03), reduced platelet counts (P=0.0001) and absolute neutropenia (mean±SD, 1.200 ±1.00) in those with parvovirus B19 infection. More than half of patients with parvovirus B19 (72.2%) had positive PCR and/or IgM and 36.4% of them had positive IgG.

Conclusion:

This study highlights that parvovirus B19 is common in children with AML either at diagnosis or under chemotherapy. There are no clinical manifestations that can be used as markers for its presence, but hematological laboratory findings can provide evidence for infection in the presence of anemia and neutropenia. Detection of parvovirus B19 by combined molecular and serological markers is required in such patients for accurate diagnosis.

Parvovirus B19

Primary parvovirus B19 infection is an infrequent, but serious and treatable, cause of chronic anemia in immunocompromised hosts. Many compromised hosts have preexisting antibody to B19 and are not at risk. However, upon primary infection, some patients may be able to mount a sufficient immune response to terminate active parvovirus B19 infection of erythroid precursors. The most common consequence of B19 infection in the compromised host is pure red-cell aplasia, resulting in chronic or recurrent anemia with reticulocytopenia. Anemia persists until neutralizing antibody is either produced by the host or passively administered. Parvovirus B19 should be suspected in compromised hosts with unexplained or severe anemia and reticulocytopenia, or when bone-marrow examination shows either giant pronormoblasts or absence of red-cell precursors. Diagnosis is established by detection of B19 DNA in serum in the absence of IgG antibody to B19. In some cases, IgG antibody is detected but is not neutralizing. Anti-B19 IgM may or may not be present. Therapy includes any or all of the following: red-cell transfusion, adjustment in medications to restore or improve the patient’s immune system, and administration of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Following treatment, patients should be closely monitored, especially if immunosuppression is unchanged or increased. Should hematocrit trend downward and parvovirus DNA trend upward, the therapeutic options above should be revisited. In a few instances, monthly maintenance IVIG may be indicated. Caregivers should be aware that B19 variants, though rarely encountered, can be missed or under-quantitated by some real-time polymerase-chain reaction methods.

Evidence for the use of intravenous immunoglobulins--a review of the literature

Intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were first introduced in the middle of the twentieth century for the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies. In 1981, Paul Imbach noticed an improvement of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, in patients receiving IVIg for immunodeficiencies. This opened a new era for the treatment of autoimmune conditions with IVIg. Since then, IVIg has become an important treatment option in a wide spectrum of diseases, including autoimmune and acute inflammatory conditions, most of them off-label (not included in the US Food and Drug Administration recommendation). A panel of immunologists and internists with experience in IVIg therapy reviewed the medical literature for published data concerning treatment with IVIg. The quality of evidence was assessed, and a summary of the available relevant literature in each disease was given. To our knowledge, this is the first all-inclusive comprehensive review, developed to assist the clinician when considering the use of IVIg in autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and other conditions.