Epstein-Barr Virus in the Bone Marrow of Patients with Aplastic Anemia

Abstract

Aplastic anemia may be associated with Epstein-Barr virus more commonly than suspected by history. Localization of the virus in the bone marrow supports a causative role for Epstein-Barr virus in bone marrow failure.

Successful treatment of severe aplastic anemia associated with human parvovirus B19 and Epstein‐Barr virus in a healthy subject with allo‐BMT

“…Cellular suppression of normal CFU-GM-derived colony formation by co-culture with the patient's bone marrow mononuclear cells has been demonstrated in 17-year-old female with EBV-related aplastic anemia [13]. In our case, the response to treatment with prednisone was poor, which may be explained by (a) his bone marrow suppression might have resulted from a combination effect of direct viral infection and immune-mediated suppression/destruction, (b) the presence of other viruses as in reported other cases [17,18], and (c) an insufficient immunosuppression.…”

Fatal Aplastic Anemia Caused by Epstein-Barr Virus Infection after Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation for Non-Hodgkin Malignant Lymphoma.

“…The frequency ofEB virus-caused aplastic anemia is low (3,4); EB virus DNAand protein were detected in only 1 of 40 patients with aplastic anemia studied retrospectively (4). The effect of viral infection on the suppressed hematopoiesis in patients with aplastic anemia is not fully understood (3,4). While the B cells are the recognized target ofEB virus infection, other cells mayalso harbor this virus (e.g., nasopharyngeal epithelial cells).…”

“…Aplastic anemia caused by EB virus remains rare (3,4). It occurs even in healthy individuals after the clinical course of infectious mononucleosis; the prognosis of patients with aplastic anemia caused by EB virus is not necessarily poor (4)(5)(6). However, fatal aplastic anemia has also been reported in previously healthy persons, immunodeficient patients, and in those with x-linked recessive lymphoproliferative disorders (4,(6)(7)(8).…”

“…However, most cases are diagnosed retrospectively based on indirect evidence such as the clinical manifestations, change in biochemistry, and rise in the levels of antibodies to the virus. Aplastic anemia caused by EB virus remains rare (3,4). It occurs even in healthy individuals after the clinical course of infectious mononucleosis; the prognosis of patients with aplastic anemia caused by EB virus is not necessarily poor (4)(5)(6).…”

“…It occurs even in healthy individuals after the clinical course of infectious mononucleosis; the prognosis of patients with aplastic anemia caused by EB virus is not necessarily poor (4)(5)(6). However, fatal aplastic anemia has also been reported in previously healthy persons, immunodeficient patients, and in those with x-linked recessive lymphoproliferative disorders (4,(6)(7)(8). Werecently treated a patient with fatal aplastic anemia after an episode of infectious mononucleosis caused by EB virus infection in a previously hematologically normal patient who had undergone repeated chemotherapy and autologous bone marrowtransplantation for refractory non-Hodgkinmalignant lymphoma.…”