ABSTRACT
Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is a small (5.5kb) single-stranded DNA virus with known tropism and cytotoxicity for erythroid progenitors. Although B19V was known to be incapable of propagating in the cells other than erythroid progenitors in vitro, leukopenia and thrombocytopenia sometimes occur in addition to erythrocytopenia in patients with B19V infection. Recently, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was reported as a rare complication in children following B19V infection. We experienced a case of B19V infection with erythroid aplasia and ITP in 10 years-old girl who presented with severe nasal bleeding and whole body petechiae. Marked thrombocytopenia (4x109/L) and reticulocytopenia (0.1%) were observed. The bone marrow aspiration smears revealed increased number of megakaryocytes and severe red cell hypoplasia with occasional giant pronormoblasts and nearly absence of mature normoblasts. Serum anti- B19V IgM and IgG antibodies were positive.