Introduction

• Selective failure of erythropoiesis (maturation arrest at early normoblast stage) but normal production of white blood cells and platelets.
• Insidious onset, non-regenerative anemia.
• Cause: potentially immune-mediated.
• Signs: weight loss.
• Diagnosis: bone marrow aspirate.
• Treatment: immunosuppressive therapy may, on occasion, be helpful.
• Prognosis: good to fair.

Pathogenesis

Etiology

• Idiopathic.
• Immune-mediated is possible.
• May be secondary to parvovirus infection - suggested but not proven.

Pathophysiology

• Immune-mediated destruction of red cell precursors → non-regenerative anemia Anemia: non-regenerative.

• Serum immunoglobulin G inhibitor → decreased erythroid colony precursors → insidious onset anemia → physiological compensation → relatively mild signs even if severe anemia.

Timecourse

• Gradual onset over weeks or months.

Diagnosis

Treatment

Outcomes