Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA)
Overview
The production of red blood cells declines due to bone marrow damage, which leads to anemia. This bone marrow disease can be acquired or inherited (present at birth). The two acquired forms are known as primary and secondary. The primary form involves autoantibodies and other autoimmunity processes, whereas the secondary form arises with coexisting autoimmune disease and is not always antibody-mediated.
Common Symptoms
Dizziness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, myasthenia gravis, SLE, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acquired hypogammaglobulinemia, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, and thymoma.
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Pre-existing autoimmune diseases, tumors in the thymus, and viral infections (including parvovirus B19).
Recent Research
- Case report: Pulmonary tuberculosis accompanied by pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia (2022)
- Pure red cell aplasia secondary to rheumatoid arthritis: a case report (2021)
- Pure red cell aplasia and amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia in thymoma: The uncharted territory (2020)
- Pure red cell aplasia and seronegative myasthenia gravis in association with thymoma (2020)
Sources
- Article Sources
Acquired pure red cell aplasia | Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) – an NCATS Program. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10898/acquired-pure-red-cell-aplasia
Frickhofen, N., Chen, Z. J., Young, N. S., Cohen, B. J., Heimpel, H., & Abkowitz, J. L. (1994). Parvovirus B19 as a cause of acquired chronic pure red cell aplasia. British Journal of Haematology, 87(4), 818–824. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2141.1994.tb06743.x
Means, R. T. (2016). Pure red cell aplasia. Hematology: The American Society of Hematology Education Program, 2016(1), 51–56. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6142432/
Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA). (n.d.-a). Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://www.aamds.org/diseases/related/pure-red-cell-aplasia-prca
Thompson, D. F., & Gales, M. A. (1996). Drug-induced pure red cell aplasia. Pharmacotherapy, 16(6), 1002–1008.
Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA). (n.d.-b). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved June 9, 2021, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14475-pure-red-cell-aplasia-prca