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Anemia is one of the most common hematologic abnormalities in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, affecting as many as 80% of patients. Opportunistic infections, myelosuppressive drugs (antiretroviral medications, ganciclovir, or cytotoxic chemotherapy), neoplasms, or immunologic changes induced by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) may contribute to the cause of anemia. Parvovirus B19 (PV B19) is known to cause a pure red cell aplasia through a lysis of erythroid progenitor cells.¹ Thus, PV B19 infection is another potential mechanism of anemia in HIV-infected patients. However, there are some controversial points related to PV B19 infection in this population: First, its prevalence in HIV-infected patients is variable and ranges from 10% to 60%^2-4; second, the prevalence of PV B19 infection that causes anemia in HIV-infected individuals^2-6; and third, the ideal diagnostic method for treating PV B19 infection in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It has been suggested that serological testing may . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Corresponding author: Pere Domingo, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Avgda. Sant Antoni Ma Claret, 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain (e-mail: pere.domingo@cc.uab.es).