Clinical Spectrum and Outcome of Parvovirus B19 Infection in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Single-Centre Experience

Introduction: Bone Marrow suppression by human Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a well described etiology of anaemia in renal transplant recipients (RTR). PVB19 infection is mostly underreported in our population and its work up in Post Renal Transplant anemia must be considered. Case Description: Objective - To study the clinical spectrum of Parvovirus B19 infection and its outcome in renal transplant patients. Methods and Materials – This is a hospital based Retrospective study conducted in the department of Nephrology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital from February 2020 to February 2025. We reviewed the medical records of the admitted RTRs and found 8 patients with confirmed PVB19 infection. Detailed history, physical examination, demographics, clinical and laboratory data , management and outcome of these 8 patients were recorded. Discussion: Of the total 254 RTR, 8 patients had PVB19 infection detected by PCR technique. The time of detection of PVB19 infection in our setup ranged from as early as 1 month to as late as 3 years post transplant. Majority of the patients (87.5%) received rATG as Induction therapy. Allograft Dysfunction was present in 3 patients (37.5%) , Co-infection with HCV was present in one patient(12.5%) and Acute Rejection was present in 3 patients (37.5%). All the patients presented with symptomatic anaemia. The lowest hemoglobin levels noted in one of the patient was 4 mg/dl . Following treatment with IVIg , anemia improved in all the patients, except one patient , who also presented with Refractory ABMR. One of the patient responded late to IVIg but attained sustained improvement after 20 weeks. Thus, PVB19 is a rare but potentially life-threatening infection in RTR. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can minimize the deleterious impact of the infection.