title: Epoetin-β induced pure red cell aplasia: an unintended consequence.
abstract: Pure red cell aplasia is a rare condition associated with the use of recombinant human erythropoietin preparations. It has predominantly been associated with the subcutaneous use of a particular epoetin-α product, Eprex, and is rarely associated with intravenous use or with other commercially available products. Only a few cases of pure red cell aplasia secondary to epoetin-β have been reported. On account of its rarity, the condition can often be missed on initial presentation, leading to unnecessary investigations and delayed diagnosis. A high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis and proper management. We present a case of severe anaemia secondary to the subcutaneous use of epoetin-β (Recormon) and briefly discuss the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Muhammad Masoom
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Javaid
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Priyanka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Srinivas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Subramanian
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D012010:Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C103998:epoetin beta; D004921:Erythropoietin