Life threatening parvovirus B19 and herpes simplex virus associated acute myocardial dysfunction in a child with homozygous sickle cell disease

Human parvovirus (HPV) B19, a common infection, frequently causes transient red cell aplasia in children with hemolytic anemia, such as sickle cell disease (SCD). It was considered to be a self‐limited condition, easily treated with blood transfusion. However, acute splenic sequestration, acute chest syndrome, nephrotic syndrome, and stroke have been reported in SCD patients following HPV B19 infection. We report a 3‐year‐old child with SCD who developed fulminant myocarditis following HPV B19‐related aplastic crisis. The diagnosis of myocarditis should be considered in a patient with hemolytic anemia with an infection with HPV B19 who develops signs of cardiopulmonary failure despite correction of anemia. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:1019–1021. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.