Transient pancytopenia associated with parvovirus infection in paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

A 25 year old woman with a 15-year history of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria developed transient pancytopenia following infection with human parvovirus B19. This is the first report of transient pancytopenia in a patient with an acquired haemolytic anaemia due to parvovirus. The possible mechanism of pancytopenia in such a case is discussed.