Pure red cell aplasia as first manifestation of splenic marginal zone lymphoma-successful treatment with rituximab: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Acquired pure red cell aplasia is a rare disorder, usually appearing secondary to various pathologic conditions such as thymoma, systemic autoimmune diseases or in the course of lymphomas. Conventional treatment consists of immunosuppression with corticosteroids, antithymocyte globulin or cyclosporin-A.


METHODS
8 weekly courses of rituximab were administered to a patient who presented with pure red cell aplasia secondary to newly diagnosed splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Transfusion independence was achieved after the 6(th) course, and pure red cell aplasia receded completely with therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Pure red cell aplasia may ensue early in the course of splenic marginal zone lymphoma and other low grade lymphomas. Rituximab is a safe and effective alternative treatment for pure red cell aplasia secondary to lymphoproliferative disorders.
Anastasiadis
Athanasios
A
Department of Haematology, Democritus University of Thrace Medical School, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Alexandroupolis, Greece. anasttha@otenet.gr
Margaritis
Dimitrios
D
Kotsianidis
Ioannis
I
Spanoudakis
Emmanouil
E
Christoforidou
Anna
A
Kostopoulos
Ioannis
I
Tsatalas
Constantinos
C