Successful therapy of pure red cell aplasia secondary to plasma cell dyscrasia with bolus methylprednisolone

Intern Med. 2001 Aug;40(8):802-4. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.40.802.

Abstract

A 65-year-old man, who is a Jehovah's Witness, was admitted to our hospital due to progressive anemia following a four-year history of biclonal gammopathy of no clinical significance. He was diagnosed with pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) associated with plasma cell dyscrasia. Despite a markedly decreased red blood cell count (hematocrit 5.6%), the patient refused transfusion. He was intravenously administered bolus methylprednisolone. Reticulocytosis and recovery from anemia were observed on day 7 after the start of therapy. Secondary PRCA following plasma cell dyscrasia is a rare disorder; the treatments for this rare condition are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Glucocorticoids / administration & dosage
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / administration & dosage
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
  • Paraproteinemias / complications*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / drug therapy*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / etiology*
  • Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Methylprednisolone