Successful treatment of tacrolimus‐related pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia with rituximab in a pediatric cardiac transplant patient. Issue 12 (9th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abongwa, Chenue; Abusin, Ghada; El‐Sheikh, Ayman
• Is Part Of: Pediatric blood & cancer. Volume 64:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-06-09
• Subjects: AIHA -- hemolysis -- PRCA -- reticulocytopenia -- rituximab; Tumors in children -- Periodicals; Blood -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Cancer in children -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1545-5009

Abstract

Abstract: Acquired pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) are rare complications of immunosuppression in pediatric solid organ transplant patients. We report a 14‐month‐old female child who developed Coombs positive hemolytic anemia and reticulocytopenia while on tacrolimus after cardiac transplantation. She was successfully treated with rituximab after failing treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. Clinicians should consider PRCA differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with reticulocytopenia and hemolysis. In addition, the coexistence of PRCA with AIHA, and the response to therapy with rituximab, supports a common immune‐mediated pathogenesis for both disorders.