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Journal of Medical Case Reports
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2010

Open Access 01-12-2010 | Case report

Hemolytic anemia due to acute cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and review of the literature

Authors: Fabrizio Taglietti, Cecilia M Drapeau, Elisabetta Grilli, Alessandro Capone, Pasquale Noto, Simone Topino, Nicola Petrosillo

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2010

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Abstract

Introduction

Cytomegalovirus is a common virus responsible for a wide range of clinical manifestations. Hemolysis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of cytomegalovirus infection, described mostly in immunocompromised patients, the pathogenesis of which is still unclear.
We performed a review of the literature regarding cases of hemolytic anemia during acute cytomegalovirus infection in apparently immunocompetent individuals. We searched for relevant articles in PubMed for the period of 1980 through 2008.

Case presentation

We describe a case of Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia in a 44-year-old Caucasian immunocompetent man with acute cytomegalovirus infection.

Conclusion

Clinicians should consider cytomegalovirus infection in the differential diagnosis of hemolytic anemia in immunocompetent adults. Possible therapeutic options include antiviral therapy and steroids, although the best treatment strategy is still controversial.
Appendix
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Literature
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Van Spronsen DJ, Breed WP: Cytomegalovirus-induced thrombocytopenia and haemolysis in an immunocompetent adult. Br J Haematol. 1996, 92 (1): 218-220. 10.1046/j.1365-2141.1996.00288.x.CrossRefPubMed
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Horwitz CA, Skradski K, Lewis FB, Schwartz B, Kelty R, Polesky H: Haemolytic anaemia in previously healthy adult patients with CMV infections: report of two cases and an evaluation of subclinical haemolysis in CMV mononucleosis. Scand J Haematol. 1984, 33 (1): 35-42. 10.1111/j.1600-0609.1984.tb02207.x.CrossRefPubMed
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Metadata
Title
Hemolytic anemia due to acute cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and review of the literature
Authors
Fabrizio Taglietti
Cecilia M Drapeau
Elisabetta Grilli
Alessandro Capone
Pasquale Noto
Simone Topino
Nicola Petrosillo
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2010
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-4-334

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