A case of recurrent anemia due to chronic parvovirus B19 infection in a kidney transplant recipient. Can everolimus make a difference?

ABSTRACT

Parvovirus B19 (PB19) is a common infection among solid transplant recipients. Usually, it is asymptomatic, but sometimes it can become a real therapeutic challenge. We report a case of a kidney transplant recipient with relapsing pure red cell aplasia due to PB19 infection. Our patient was initially managed with standard treatment consisting of intravenous immunoglobulins and minimization of immunosuppressive treatment. However, when this approach became ineffective, conversion from tacrolimus to everolimus was done, with favorable results. This paper explores infection by PB19 in kidney transplant recipients and the potential benefits of a calcineurin inhibitor-free immunosuppression and the antiviral properties of mTOR inhibitors.