A 12-year-old girl is taken to the emergency room after experiencing lethargy and worsening exertional dyspnea for several days. The patient takes hydroxyurea and has a history of sickle cell illness. A systolic ejection murmur can be heard during a physical exam, along with mucosal pallor. Hemoglobin testing in the lab reveals a level of 5.6 g/dL. Following a bone marrow biopsy, the results indicate diminished erythroid precursors and oversized pronormoblasts with inclusions, as illustrated below. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's current condition?

Question

A 12-year-old girl is taken to the emergency room after experiencing lethargy and worsening exertional dyspnea for several days. The patient takes hydroxyurea and has a history of sickle cell illness. A systolic ejection murmur can be heard during a physical exam, along with mucosal pallor. Hemoglobin testing in the lab reveals a level of 5.6 g/dL. Following a bone marrow biopsy, the results indicate diminished erythroid precursors and oversized pronormoblasts with inclusions, as illustrated below.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's current condition?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Transient aplastic crisis can result after parvovirus B19 infection, especially in those with underlying hemoglobin abnormalities such sickle cell anemia. Patients experience symptomatic anemia (exertional dyspnea, weariness, low hematocrit, etc.) as a result of the virus's suppression of erythropoiesis. Giant pronormoblasts with glassy intranuclear viral inclusions can be seen when the bone marrow is examined.

A 12-Year-Old Girl Is Taken to the Emergency Room After