Other causes like autoimmune antibodies to hemopoietic precursors, opportunistic infections like Cytomegalovirus (CMV), B19 parvovirus, or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare suppressing erythropoiesis, hemolytic anemia, anemia related to gastrointestinal bleeding, decreased erythropoietin levels, nutritional anemia due to vitamin B12 and iron deficiency resulting from malabsorption or malnutrition have also been stated.18 Here, EPO is linked to anemia (phenotype).