Pure Red-Cell Aplasia Secondary to Antierythropoietin Antibodies

To the Editor: The use of recombinant human erythropoietin in patients with kidney disease is widespread and has been associated with few complications. Recent reports have suggested that the incidence of pure red-cell aplasia is increasing among European patients, who are often treated with subcutaneous epoetin alfa (Eprex).1,2 Neutralizing antierythropoietin antibodies were detected in these patients. We describe a case of pure red-cell aplasia in an American patient who was receiving epoetin alfa (Procrit, Ortho Biotech). Antierythropoietin antibodies were found to be neutralizing in vivo and in a murine erythroid cell line. A 66-year-old woman with polycystic disease had . . .