The Role of Viral Infections in Aplastic Anemia

Ninety years have passed since Paul Ehrlich first described an illness now known as aplastic anemia [12]. During this time much has been learned about the natural history and treatment of marrow aplasia. However, underlying pathogenetic mechanisms remain obscure. A few patients develop aplastic anemia as part of inherited syndromes. Irradiation and chemotherapy for malignant diseases may produce severe, prolonged, focal or diffuse marrow aplasia. Certain drugs produce reversible dose-related marrow suppression or, less often, idiosyncratic dose-unrelated severe aplastic anemia. For other drugs or chemicals an association with aplastic anemia is supported only by statistical correlations or suggestively related clinical events. At least 50% of cases of marrow aplasia are of unknown etiology. Viruses are rarely mentioned as causes of aplastic anemia.