Case Report: Pure Red Cell Aplasia due to Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare bone marrow failure characterized by a progressive normocytic anemia and reticulocytopenia without leukopenia and thrombocytopenia. It can be associated with various hematological disorders but exceedingly rarely with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). We report the case of a 72-year-old woman with PRCA associated with AITL. The patient presented with severe anemia (hemoglobin 2.6 g/dL) and a low reticulocyte count 0.7%. Direct and indirect Coombs tests were positive. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis revealed multiple lymphadenopathies. A cervical lymph node biopsy was compatible with AITL. A bone marrow biopsy showed medullary involvement by AITL and a severe erythroid hypoplasia with a myeloid:erythroid ratio of 19.70. The patient was started on CHOP and after 6 cycles the PET scan confirmed complete remission.