A 13-year-old girl comes to the emergency department due to rapidly progressive exertional dyspnea and generalized fatigue. Two weeks ago, the patient had a low-grade fever and lace-like rash on her arms and trunk for several days. She has a history of sickle cell disease and takes a daily folic acid supplement. The patient appears to be in distress. Her temperature is 38.5°C (101.4°F), pulse is 130/min, and respirations are 25/min. On examination, the patient has conjunctival pallor but no icterus. A cardiac flow murmur is present. The abdomen is soft and nontender with no organomegaly. Laboratory studies show a hematocrit of 16% with reticulocyte count of 0.1% (normal range, 0.5%-1.5%). Leukocyte and platelet counts are normal. Which of the following best describes the virus most likely responsible for this patient's current condition?

Question

A 13-year-old girl comes to the emergency department due to rapidly progressive exertional dyspnea and generalized fatigue. Two weeks ago, the patient had a low-grade fever and lace-like rash on her arms and trunk for several days. She has a history of sickle cell disease and takes a daily folic acid supplement.  The patient appears to be in distress. Her temperature is 38.5°C (101.4°F), pulse is 130/min, and respirations are 25/min.   On examination, the patient has conjunctival pallor but no icterus.  A cardiac flow murmur is present.  The abdomen is soft and nontender with no organomegaly.  Laboratory studies show a hematocrit of 16% with reticulocyte count of 0.1% (normal range, 0.5%-1.5%).  Leukocyte and platelet counts are normal.  Which of the following best describes the virus most likely responsible for this patient's current condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: In patients with sickle cell anemia and other chronic hemolytic disorders, the most common viral cause of an aplastic crisis is infection of erythroid progenitor cells with parvovirus B19, a nonenveloped single-stranded DNA virus.

A 13-Year-Old Girl Comes to the Emergency Department Due to Rapidly