Pure red cell aplasia associated with recombinant erythropoietin: a case report and brief review of the literature.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a rare adverse effect of recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO). Affected patients rapidly become transfusion-dependent, with many requiring immunosuppressive therapy for remission. We report a confirmed case in an elderly female, possibly the first of its kind in New Zealand, who was started on rEPO for anaemia of chronic kidney disease. We also briefly review current literature on rEPO-associated PRCA.