Aplastic anemia is often secondary to infection with which virus?

Aplastic anemia is often secondary to infection with which virus?

• A. Hepatitis A virus
• B. Parvovirus B19
• C. Varicella-zoster virus
• D. Influenza A virus

Answer: (B)

Parvovirus B19 directly suppresses bone marrow activity by targeting erythroid progenitor cells in the marrow. It binds to the P antigen on these precursors, leading to a pause in erythropoiesis and a drop in reticulocytes. In people with already stressed marrow or underlying hemolytic conditions, this can precipitate significant anemia and contribute to an aplastic picture. Among the viruses listed, this one is classically associated with marrow suppression and red-cell production arrest, making it the most likely cause of virus-associated aplastic anemia. The other viruses don’t have a strong, typical connection to bone marrow failure in this context.

Parvovirus B19 directly suppresses bone marrow activity by targeting erythroid progenitor cells in the marrow. It binds to the P antigen on these precursors, leading to a pause in erythropoiesis and a drop in reticulocytes. In people with already stressed marrow or underlying hemolytic conditions, this can precipitate significant anemia and contribute to an aplastic picture. Among the viruses listed, this one is classically associated with marrow suppression and red-cell production arrest, making it the most likely cause of virus-associated aplastic anemia. The other viruses don’t have a strong, typical connection to bone marrow failure in this context.