Open AccessEmtricitabine-associated red cell aplasia
Author(s) -
Karen Cohen,
Charle Viljoen,
Christine Njuguna,
Gary Maartens
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
aids
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.195
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1473-5571
pISSN - 0269-9370
DOI - 10.1097/qad.0000000000002136
Subject(s) - emtricitabine , pure red cell aplasia , medicine , virology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , antiretroviral therapy , viral load , anemia
: Emtricitabine is structurally similar to lamivudine, which has been associated with red cell aplasia. We describe four patients with severe anaemia presenting soon after starting emtricitabine-containing antiretroviral therapy. Bone marrow biopsy in three patients confirmed red cell aplasia. Anaemia resolved after emtricitabine withdrawal in three patients, one patient died, and anaemia recurred on rechallenge in one patient whose anaemia persisted on lamivudine, resolving when this was stopped, suggesting a possible cross-reaction between lamivudine and emtricitabine.