EBV Infection Resulting in Aplastic Anemia: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

We describe a three year old girl who developed aplastic anemia concurrent with reactivation of EBV infection. Literature review yielded a list of 23 cases of documented EBV infection with aplastic anemia. Though acyclovir was used as one of the treatment modality in many cases including ours, its effectiveness is unclear. It would be beneficial to develop EBV associated aplastic anemia registry to prospectively evaluate Acyclovir’s effectiveness. Also evaluation for evidence of EBV infection in all cases of idiopathic aplastic anemia would be useful.