Association between primary cytomegalovirus infection and severe hemolyticanemia in an immunocompetent adult

Hemolysis is a rare complication of cytomegalovirus infection in the immuno competent adult, and the mechanisms responsible for it remain obscure. Guid elines for treatment have yet to be established, and the effectiveness of a ntiviral therapy has not been proven. In this report, an unusual case of pr imary cytomegalovirus infection manifested by severe hemolysis in an immuno competent adult is presented. Treatment with ganciclovir (5 mg/kg b.i.d.) f or 10 days and prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day) for more than 3 months suggests t hat both virological and immunological mechanisms are probably responsible for the hemolysis.