Journal of Genetic Medicine and Gene Therapy

ISSN: 2640-2823

Case Report

Reversal of pure red cell aplasia by varicella zoster virus infection

Al-Anazi KA^1*, Kanfar S¹, Aldayel A², Abduljalil O¹ and Sayyed AH¹

¹Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
²Section of Hematopathology, Department of Pathology, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Khalid Ahmed Al-Anazi, Consultant, Hemato Oncologist and Chairman, Department of Hematology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Oncology Center, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, PO. Box: 15215, Dammam 31444, Saudi Arabia, Tel: 966-03-8431111; Fax: 966-13-8427420; Email: kaa_alanazi@yahoo.com

Dates: Submitted: 10 April 2019; Approved: 02 May 2019; Published: 03 May 2019

How to cite this article: Al-Anazi KA, Kanfar S, Aldayel A, Abduljalil O, Sayyed AH. Reversal of pure red cell aplasia by varicella zoster virus infection. J Hematol Clin Res. 2019; 3: 001-010. DOI: 10.29328/journal.jhcr.1001008

Copyright License: © 2019 Al-Anazi KA, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Keywords: Pure red cell aplasia; Bone marrow; Blood transfusion; Immunosuppressive therapy; Varicella zoster virus

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a syndrome characterized by: severe normocytic normochromic anemia, severe reticulocytopenia, and marked reduction or absence of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow (BM) [1-4]. PRCA was first characterized by Kaznelson in the year 1922 [1,5]. The etiology and associations of PRCA are shown in table 1 [2-4,6-17].

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA), the hereditary form of PRCA, is a rare congenital erythroid hypoplasia or inherited BM failure syndrome characterized by: (1) macrocytic anemia, (2) reticulocytopenia, (3) severely reduced numbers of erythroid precursors in the BM, (4) congenital malformations, and (5) predisposition to cancer [18-20]. DBA is a ribosomopathy where mutations in genes encoding ribosomal proteins or factors are involved in ribosomal biogenesis and more than 50% of patients have haploinsufficiency of either a small or large subunit associated ribosomal protein [18,19].

Dysregulation of T-cell mediated immunity is responsible for acquired PRCA [21]. Recurrent somatic mutations of signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT 3) have been reported in: T-cell large granular lymphocyte leukemia and chronic lymphoproliferative disorders of natural killer cells. However, mutations in STAT 3 gene have recently been reported with increased frequency in patients with PRCA [21-23]. Patients with positive STAT 3 mutations are usually younger in age and less responsive to cyclosporine-A therapy once compared to patients with negative STAT 3 mutational status [21].

The complications of PRCA include: (1) packed red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependence particularly in chronic and relapsing cases; (2) evolution of: myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), acute myeloid leukemia and aplastic anemia (AA); and (3) solid tumors such as: osteogenic sarcoma, colorectal cancer, breast carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, female genital cancer, testicular carcinoma and lung cancer [19,24-28].

In patients with suspected PRCA, it is essential to have detailed history including family history as well as thorough physical examination. It is mandatory to rule out malignancy, autoimmune disorders and various infections [13,29-31]. The following viral infections are associated with BM suppression and anemia: cytomegalovirus, Epstein Barr virus, varicella zoster virus (VZV), parvovirus B-19, human herpes virus 6, in addition to hepatitis A and C viruses [32]. The diagnostic work-up of PRCA includes: complete blood count (CBC) and differential cell count; peripheral blood film; BM examination to differentiate PRCA from MDS, AA, and other forms of BM failure; cytogenetics, molecular mutational analysis and ribosomal studies; viral screens particularly parvovirus B-19, hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and screen for malignancy [13,29-32].

There are several lines of treatment for PRCA. These therapeutic options vary considerably according to the cause and they range from supportive measures with blood transfusions as needed to more specific measures such as allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) as illustrated in table 2 [1-5,16-20,33-38]. The course and prognosis of PRCA vary depending on being hereditary or acquired and they depend on the underlying cause to a large extent [39-43]. However, most patients with chronic PRCA can be successfully treated with immunosuppressive therapies, but they require maintenance treatment with immunosuppressive agents [39-43]. Relapses and refractoriness to immunosuppression can be encountered [42]. The causes of death in patients with PRCA include: infectious complications, organ failure, associated cancer or BM failure as well as refractory and relapsing cases [39-43].

In August 2017, a 34 year old Saudi female presented to King Fahad Specialist Hospital (KFSH) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia with anemic symptoms. She gave no history of any medical or surgical illness and she was not on any regular medication. Her family history was not contributory. Her physical examination at presentation showed: pallor but no jaundice, leg edema or external palpable lymphadenopathy. Her chest was clear and she had no abdominal tenderness or palpable organomegaly. Her cardiovascular and neurological examinations revealed no abnormality. Her CBC showed: white blood cell (WBC) count: 8.33×109/L, hemoglobin (Hb): 4.6 g/dL, platelet count: 407×109/L.

Differential cell count showed: 65% neutrophils, 24% lymphocytes and 8% monocytes. Peripheral blood film showed mild degree of macrocytosis, but no blasts or dysplastic changes. Renal, hepatic and coagulation profiles were all normal. BM examination showed: cellular marrow with normal myelopoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. However, the erythroid precursors were markedly reduced. There were no blasts or dysplastic changes (Figure 1). There was no cytogenetic abnormality. JAK 2 mutation was negative and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria screen was negative. Thyroid function was normal. Serum vitamin B-12 and folate levels were normal. Hemoglobin electrophoresis and hemolytic screen were negative. Viral screens for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, parvovirus B-19 and HIV were all negative. Hepatitis A,B, and C screens were negative. Autoimmune and collagen vascular screens were also negative. Chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and ultrasound of the abdomen revealed no abnormality. Upper endoscopy with biopsies showed no evidence of gastritis, ulcers or malignancy.

Initially the patient was given packed RBC transfusions to relieve her symptoms. After establishing the diagnosis of PRCA and ruling out malignancy, autoimmune diseases and infections particularly with parvovirus B-19, the patient was commenced on the following immunosuppressive drugs: cyclosporine-A: 200 mg/kg orally twice daily and prednisolone: 1mg/kg/day. Two weeks after starting the immunosuppressive agents, Hb level improved but the patient remained packed RBC transfusion dependent. Unfortunately, she became intolerant to both medications to the extent that they were discontinued within 2 months of starting them. Two months after stopping cyclosporine-A and prednisolone, the patient had herpes zoster infection involving one dermatome over the right side of her chest wall. The diagnosis of herpes zoster infection was made on clinical grounds. Examination of vesicular fluid and scrapings of the skin lesions and the high titer of VZV-IgM antibodies confirmed the diagnosis of herpes zoster infection. The viral infection was treated with valacyclvir for 10 days. Unfortunately, the patient developed post-herpetic neuralgia that lasted for few months and was treated with analgesics and gabapentin.

Six weeks after the VZV infection, Hb level started to pick up gradually. Two months after the viral infection, not only Hb level became stable but also packed RBC transfusions were no longer required. Later on, the patient was kept on regular follow-up and her Hb level was noted to increase further as shown in table 3. Fourteen months after VZV infection, Hb level was 7 grams higher that that at the time of the viral infection (Table 3). BM examination was repeated and it showed complete regeneration of the erythroid precursors reflecting complete resolution of the PRCA (Figure 2). The patient was reassured, no new treatment was prescribed and she was kept on regular follow-up at the hematology outpatient clinic.

VZV is a double stranded DNA herpes virus. It is exclusively human virus and is highly contagious [44-46]. Primary VZV infection (chickenpox) occurs in childhood then the virus becomes latent in nerve ganglia [44,47]. Reactivation of the virus may occur decades later and causes herpes zoster which is manifested by typical painful skin eruption that has characteristic dermatomal distribution [44,47]. Reactivation of VZV is usually predisposed to by the following: (1) old age, male gender and AfroCaribbean descent; (2) comorbid medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive airway disease, end-stage renal disease and depression; and (3) immunosuppression due to: malignancy, autoimmune disorders, immunosuppressive therapies, trauma, cytotoxic chemotherapy, HSCT, and solid organ transplantation [44,47-49]. In severely immunocompromised individuals, particularly recipients of HSCT, preexisting antibodies do not prevent VZV reactivation but may contribute to decreased viral load thus resulting in mild clinical course [48]. Also, in immunocompromised patients having VZV infection: atypical skin eruption may be encountered and disseminated infection may occur in the absence of skin lesions [48,50].

Constitutional symptoms and prodromal manifestations such as fever, malaise and local pain usually occur and they are followed by the typical skin eruptions of both chickenpox and herpes zoster [44,47,49,51]. VZV infections may be complicated by: secondary bacterial infection, pneumonia, post-herpetic neuralgia, stroke and other vasculopathies, meningoencephalitis, segmental weakness and myelopathy, cranial neuropathies, giant cell arteritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, enteric complications, severe local infection such as Ramsay Hunt syndrome, visceral and disseminated involvement, and death particularly in immunocompromised patients and complicated cases [44,47,49,50].

The diagnosis of VZV infection is usually made on clinical grounds based on the presence of the characteristic skin lesions [47,50]. However, additional diagnostic techniques include: (1) virus isolation by culture which carries a low yield rate, (2) serology using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, (3) direct fluorescent antibodies on scrapings obtained from active skin lesions, and (4) real-time polymerase chain reaction which has higher sensitivity than serological assays [47,50].

Therapeutic options for VZV infections include: (1) acyclovir which has been the standard of care for many years, and (2) valacyclovir, famcyclovir and bromovinyl deoxyuridine [52-54]. However, in immunocompromised individuals, high dose acyclovir is usually administered intravenously for 7-10 days [52-54]. However, for postherpetic neuralgia: gabapentin as well as local and systemic analgesics can be prescribed [53-56]. In patients with malignant hematological disorders (MHDs) receiving intensive chemotherapy and in recipients of various forms of HSCT, acyclovir prophylaxis is indicated and it has been shown to significantly reduce the rate of VZV infections in these severely immunocompromised patients [57]. Additionally, VZV vaccinations are usually offered to elderly individuals and to individuals at risk of contacting the infection [45,58-60].

Viruses have two opposing faces: (1) on the one side, they can cause harm and disease with early as well as late complications that carry significant morbidity and mortality and on rare occasions cellular transformation and cancer, and (2) on the other hand, viruses may provide hope to effectively treat several serious diseases [61]. Examples of the usefulness of certain viruses in the treatment of certain diseases include: use of viruses as vaccines; use of genetically engineered or naturally occurring viruses as anticancer agents in the setting of oncolytic virus therapy; and use of viruses as vectors in: induced pluripotent stem cells, gene therapy as well as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy [61-64].

A single center, retrospective case controlled study included 16 episodes of VZV infection occurring in 14 patients with various types of MHDs and BM failure syndromes subjected to various forms of immunosuppressive therapies, cytotoxic chemotherapy and HSCT [54]. The study showed an increase in the 3 components of blood (WBC count, Hb level, and platelet count) starting approximately 6 weeks following VZV infection. This stimulation of the 3 hematopoietic cell lines in the BM that followed VZV infection was maintained for periods longer than 3 years post-VZV infection. The study clearly showed that VZV behaves differently from other members of the herpes group of viruses and can cause stimulation of BM activity starting 6 weeks after VZV infection and lasting for several years thereafter [54]. The authors postulated that immunological changes induced by VZV infection particularly cytokine release could be responsible for the stimulation of BM activity by VZV infection [54].

Another single center retrospective study included 191 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated initially with cytotoxic chemotherapy, bortezomib-based or thalidomide-based therapy then subjected to high dose melphalan followed by autologous HSCT [65]. Approximately 30% of these patients developed VZV infections either before or after HSCT. VZV infections were encountered more frequently in patients with: advanced stage of disease, renal failure and relapsing MM [65]. Despite encountering VZV infections in patients with worse expected prognosis, the overall survival in patients who developed VZV infection was superior to that in patients who never developed the infection. Additionally, there was no delay in neutrophil recovery post-HSCT in patients infected with VZV and platelet count recovery post-HSCT occurred earlier in patients infected with VZV [65].

The patient reported remained blood transfusion dependent for months after the diagnosis of PRCA. The immunosuppressive therapy improved her Hb level but never abolished the need for blood transfusions. Unfortunately, the patient developed intolerance to cyclosporine-A and prednisolone treatments that were stopped 2 months after commencing these drugs. Development of herpes zoster infection complicated by postherpetic neuralgia did not allow resumption of the combined immunosuppressive therapy. The stabilization of Hb level then the subsequent and gradual increase encountered in Hb level encouraged us and the patient not to have any new therapy started. The documentation of the recovery of erythroid precursors in the BM was reassuring that no further treatment would be needed.

The recovery of red cell aplasia with normalization of Hb level months following VZV infection in the patient reported together with the results of the 2 retrospective studies, discussed above, which showed clear evidence of stimulation of BM activity and superior outcome of immunocompromised patients infected with VZV should encourage scientists and researchers to give this potentially useful virus enough attention. The effects of VZV on BM activity and on diseases such as BM failure syndromes and MHDs through direct or indirect immunological mechanisms merit thorough investigations. The virus itself or the serum obtained from patients infected with VZV may ultimately become valuable tools in the management of patients with various BM failure syndromes or MHDs.

We are grateful to all medical, nursing and technical staff at KFSH in Dammam, Saudi Arabia who took care of the patient presented.