title: Pure red cell aplasia induced by epoetin zeta.
abstract: Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) may develop in patients with chronic kidney disease receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA). We report on a 72-year-old patient who developed hypo-proliferative anaemia unresponsive to ESA following the administration of epoetin zeta subcutaneously for 7 months. On the basis of severe isolated hypoplasia of the erythroid line in the bone marrow and high-titre neutralizing anti-erythropoietin antibodies (Ab), a diagnosis of Ab-mediated PRCA was made. Epoetin zeta was discontinued and the patient was given steroids. This was associated with anaemia recovery. To our knowledge this is the first PRCA case related to epoetin zeta.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis , Versilia Hospital , Lido di Camaiore (LU) , Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Panichi
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis , Versilia Hospital , Lido di Camaiore (LU) , Italy.
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ricchiuti
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis , Versilia Hospital , Lido di Camaiore (LU) , Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scatena
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis , A. Manzoni Hospital , Lecco , Italy.
authors.forename: Lucia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Del Vecchio
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Dialysis , A. Manzoni Hospital , Lecco , Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Locatelli
keywords: anaemia; chronic kidney disease; epoetin zeta; erythropoietin; pure red cell aplasia