What is red blood cell aplasia?

Red blood cells deliver oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Pure red blood cell aplasia (PRCA) describes a type of anemia brought about by the marrow’s inability to produce these cells. An autoimmune disease, PRCA can result from drugs, viral infections, herpes, parvovirus B19 (fifth disease), hepatitis or HIV. Children can also be born with PRCA (Blackfan-Diamond syndrome).

Platelet disorders, ITP (idiopathic), thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis and TTP are all PRCAs.

Treatment

Considered an autoimmune disease, PRCA responds to immunosuppressant treatment.