From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Pancytopenia can be caused by various infections, including viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal infections, with the most recent study suggesting that infections are the leading etiology, accounting for 17.9% of cases, with enteric fever being the most frequently observed cause 1.
Infections Causing Pancytopenia
The following infections can cause pancytopenia:
- Viral infections: HIV, hepatitis B and C, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and parvovirus B19, as well as SARS-CoV-2 infection, which has been reported to cause pancytopenia in rare cases 2
- Bacterial infections: tuberculosis, typhoid fever, brucellosis, and overwhelming sepsis, with brucellosis being a significant cause, particularly in endemic regions 3
- Parasitic infections: malaria, leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), which can directly infiltrate the bone marrow
- Fungal infections: histoplasmosis and cryptococcosis, which can result in pancytopenia, especially in immunocompromised individuals
Mechanisms of Pancytopenia
These infections cause pancytopenia through various mechanisms, including:
- Direct bone marrow invasion
- Immune-mediated destruction of blood cells
- Hemophagocytosis
- Triggering disseminated intravascular coagulation
Treatment
Treatment should target the underlying infection with appropriate antimicrobials, while providing supportive care for cytopenias, and early diagnosis and treatment can reverse pancytopenia and prevent over-investigation 1.