Differential diagnosis on measles and rubella discarded cases highlights a sharp increase in parvovirus B19 infections in Milan, Northern Italy, in the first months of 2024.

In line with European trends, since 2023 Lombardy (Northern Italy) is experiencing a resurgence of measles and an increased number of reported cases of fever and rash. Measles discarded cases observed in our region within the context of measles and rubella surveillance from the first few months of 2024 (N = 30) were investigated for parvovirus B19 (B19V) and other rash-associated viruses. Thirteen cases tested positive for B19V DNA, representing a significant increase from previous years (on average 3 cases per year, p < 0.001) and ~40% of all B19V DNA-positive patients we detected since 2017. In 2024, B19V DNA-positive subjects spanned all ages, and the virus was predominant among adolescents and adults (84.6%). Two B19V infected patients were hospitalised, and likely cross-reacting anti-measles virus IgM were found in both. Our data align with the recent reports from the ECDC and various European countries, which are experiencing a surge in B19V infections, and underline the importance of comprehensive measles and rubella surveillance systems that can adapt to changing epidemiological trends.

Distinct clinical features of transplanted children with Parvovirus B19 infection.

BACKGROUND: The immature and suppressed immune response makes transplanted children a special susceptible group to Parvovirus B19 (PVB19). However, the clinical features of transplanted children with PVB19 infection haven't been comprehensively described. METHODS: We searched the medical records of all the transplant recipients who attended the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 1 Oct 2020 to 31 May 2023, and reviewed the medical literature for PVB19 infection cases among transplanted children. RESULTS: A total of 10 cases of PVB19 infection were identified in 201 transplanted children at our hospital, and the medical records of each of these cases were shown. Also, we retrieved 40 cases of PVB19 infection among transplanted children from the literature, thus summarizing a total of 50 unique cases of PVB19 infection. The median time to the first positive PVB19 DNA detection was 14 weeks post-transplantation. PVB19 IgM and IgG were detected in merely 26% and 24% of the children, respectively. The incidence of graft loss/dysfunction was as high as 36%. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients showed higher PVB19 load, lower HGB level, greater platelet damage, lower PVB19 IgM/IgG positive rates, and more graft dysfunction than solid-organ transplant (SOT) recipients, indicating a more incompetent immune system. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the published data of transplanted adults, transplanted children displayed distinct clinical features upon PVB19 infection, including lower PVB19 IgM/IgG positive rates, more graft dysfunction, and broader damage on hematopoietic cell lines, which was even more prominent in HSCT recipients, thus should be of greater concern.

Seroinfection of Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Parvovirus B19, Treponema pallidum, and HIV in a Pregnant Attending a Medical Center in Northern Peru.

Introduction: Transplacental infections are frequent, especially in developing countries, where limited screening is performed to find infectious agents in the pregnant population. We aim to determine the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and seroinfection of antibodies against Toxoplasma, parvovirus B19, T. pallidum, and HIV in pregnant women who attended the Motupe Health Center in Lambayeque, Peru during July-August 2018. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 179 pregnant women interviewed with a standardized questionnaire. ELISA was used to determine antibodies to Toxoplasma and parvovirus B19. The detection of syphilis and HIV was conducted using immunochromatography, while the detection of hepatitis B was conducted using FTA-ABS and immunofluorescence, respectively. Results: Of 179 pregnant women, syphilis and HIV infections routinely included in the screening of pregnant women presented a seroinfection of 2.2 and 0.6%, respectively. Toxoplasmosis seroinfection was 25.1%, while IgM antiparvovirus B19 was 40.8%, revealing that pregnant women had an active infection at the time of study. Conclusion: The level of seroinfection of toxoplasmosis reveals the risk to which pregnant women who participated in the study are exposed. The high seroinfection of parvovirus B19 could explain the cases of spontaneous abortion and levels of anemia in newborn that have been reported in Motupe, Lambayeque, Peru. However, future causality studies are necessary to determine the significance of these findings.

Parvovirus B19 Infection Is Associated with the Formation of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Thrombosis: A Possible Linkage of the VP1 Unique Region.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation, namely NETosis, is implicated in antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)-related thrombosis in various autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and APS. Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) infection is closely associated with SLE and APS and causes various clinical manifestations such as blood disorders, joint pain, fever, pregnancy complications, and thrombosis. Additionally, B19V may trigger the production of autoantibodies, including those against nuclear and phospholipid components. Thus, exploring the connection between B19V, NETosis, and thrombosis is highly relevant. An in vitro NETosis model using differentiated HL-60 neutrophil-like cells (dHL-60) was employed to investigate the effect of B19V-VP1u IgG on NETs formation. A venous stenosis mouse model was used to test how B19V-VP1u IgG-mediated NETs affect thrombosis in vivo. The NETosis was observed in the dHL-60 cells treated with rabbit anti-B19V-VP1u IgG and was inhibited in the presence of either 8-Br-cAMP or CGS216800 but not GSK484. Significantly elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and citrullinated histone (Cit-H3) levels were detected in the dHL60 treated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), human aPLs IgG and rabbit anti-B19V-VP1u IgG, respectively. Accordingly, a significantly larger thrombus was observed in a venous stenosis-induced thrombosis mouse model treated with PMA, human aPLs IgG, rabbit anti-B19V-VP1u IgG, and human anti-B19V-VP1u IgG, respectively, along with significantly increased amounts of Cit-H3-, MPO- and CRAMP-positive infiltrated neutrophils in the thrombin sections. This research highlights that anti-B19V-VP1u antibodies may enhance the formation of NETosis and thrombosis and implies that managing and treating B19V infection could lower the risk of thrombosis.

Molecular-genetic characterization of human parvovirus B19 prevalent in Kerala State, India.

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19V is a DNA virus, and a member of the family Parvoviridae, that causes various clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to persistent infection that is associated with different autoimmune diseases. The parvovirus B19 evolves with a very high mutation rate that is closer to those of existing RNA viruses. Globally circulating B19V is currently classified into three genotypes, but their distribution is not spatially and temporally correlated. Except for a few recent reports on B19V entry into the human host and its genetic diversity, there is a lack of sufficient studies on this virus from distinct geographical locations and no clear understanding of its evolution has been documented. METHODS: To better understand the evolution of the Human parvo B19V virus from India's southern part, a geographically distinct location with no reports of B19V genomes, we have screened for B19V in 456 suspected cases using VP1/2 surface marker genes, and its characteristics were studied in detail. Amongst 456 clinically suspected B19V samples, 7.2% (33/456) were found positive by nested PCR (nPCR) were subsequently validated by real-time PCR, Sanger sequencing, and metagenome analysis. RESULTS: Human parvovirus B19 infection was shown among 33 of 456 patients when tested by nPCR; 30 among these were also positive by qPCR and were subsequently confirmed by sequencing 75% nPCR positive samples and 76% qPCR positive samples were from patients with age. ≥ 50 years respectively (Additional file 1: Table S1). The complete VP1/2 gene assembly from the South Indian strain showed three novel mutations (T122A, V128I, I283V), which might significantly impact the stability and virulence of the B19V virus circulating in this part of the world. These mutations might be crucial for its adaptive evolutionary strategies facilitating the spread and infectivity potential of the virus. In maximum likelihood phylogeny of VP1/2 sequences, the South Indian B19V strain forms a separate clade closer to the existing genotype two strains circulating worldwide. CONCLUSION: Our study contributes to a better understanding of the human parvovirus's genetic and evolutionary characteristics in South India. Also, it highlights the possibility that a positive selection pressure acting on VP1/2 could increase the survival and replication capabilities of the viruses.

Flame Figures in Linear Immunoglobulin A Bullous Dermatosis Secondary to Parvovirus B19 Infection.

ABSTRACT: Flame figures represent a characteristic but nondiagnostic histological finding in eosinophilic dermatoses. Some bullous autoimmune diseases with a predominant eosinophilic infiltrate, such as bullous pemphigoid, pemphigoid gestationis, and pemphigus vegetans, may show them. However, it is rare to find them in predominant neutrophilic bullous dermatoses such as linear immunoglobulin A. We present a 60-year-old man with a history of chronic urticaria, which presented a bullous disease after an acute parvovirus B19 infection. The histological findings showed an exceptional linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis with an eosinophilic infiltrate in the dermis forming "flame figures." The clinical and histopathological findings for this entity may be identical to those of other dermatoses. For this reason, combining these findings with direct immunofluorescence analysis is essential for correct diagnosis of this bullous disease.

Serological detection of human parvovirus B19 infection and associated risk factors among pregnant women in Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Human Parvovirus B19 (B19 V) infection is hyperendemic in Nigeria. Pregnant women are not classically immunocompromised but maybe physiologically immunosuppressed and susceptible to viral infection. However, there is a paucity of studies on the epidemiology of B19V in Jigawa State, Northwestern Nigeria. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence, sociodemographic, and risk factors of human B19V infection among present women attending antenatal clinics of Jahun General Hospital, Nigeria. Between 2 February and 30 June 2019, blood samples were collected from 200 consented pregnant women and analyzed for anti-B19V IgM and IgG using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Sociodemographic and risk factors of subjects were collated through pre-tested structured questionnaires. Data generated were statistically analyzed for the association of anti-B19V and subjects' variables studied. Overall, the seroprevalence of anti-B19V IgM and IgG among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics of Jahun General Hospital, Nigeria was 6.0% and 22.5%, respectively. There was no significant association between the seroprevalence of anti-B19V IgM and anti-B19V IgG with all the sociodemographic variables and risk factors of pregnant women (P Ëƒ0.05). However, pregnant women with a history of blood transfusion had a significant risk associated with seroprevalence of B19V IgM (OR = 5.95; 95% CI: 1.96-22.76; P = .009). Findings from this study revealed that a high proportion of the pregnant women were susceptible to B19V infection and anti-B19V IgG immunity decreased with age. Given the incidence of acute B19V infection, it is clinically important to continuously monitor their erythrocytes indices and screen their neonates for B19V infection and fetal complications.

Serosurvey of parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus infections among female university students in Shiraz, Southern Iran.

Infection with parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy might lead to fetal infection, resulting in congenital abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of IgM and IgG antibodies against parvovirus B19 and CMV in female university students in Shiraz, in Fars province, Southern Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 370 female university students were included. Blood samples were collected from each participant and tested for anti-parvovirus B19 and CMV IgG and IgM antibodies, using commercial ELISA kits. The mean age of the participants was 24 (±7)years. Out of 370 participants, 327 (88.4%) and 9 (2.4%) were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies against CMV. Moreover, 211 (57.0%) and 4 (1.1%) of the participants were respectively positive for IgG and IgM antibodies against parvovirus B19. The difference in CMV or parvovirus B19 seropositivity between different age groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The findings of our study showed that more than 50% of the female university students are seropositive to CMV and parvovirus B19 infections. It highlights the importance of health education and also the laboratory screening of females at childbearing age to reduce the risk of congenital infections resulting from these viral infections.

The seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 antibody in blood donors at the National Blood Transfusion Center in Kinshasa.

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a cosmopolitan DNA virus transmissible parenterally by blood transfusion. Therefore, the risk of transmission through asymptomatic blood donors should be considered and appropriately managed worldwide. PVB19 screening of blood and blood products for transfusion is not done routinely in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The main objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of PVB19 infection in healthy eligible blood donors in Kinshasa, capital of the DRC, located in the western part of the DRC, and the association of infection with the sociodemographic characteristics of blood donors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 360 whole blood donors who attended the National Center of Blood Transfusion were examined for anti-PVB19 IgG and IgM antibodies by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Sociodemographic information was collected on the blood donors. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 21. RESULTS: Among the study group, 289 men and 52 women were infected with PVB19. The mean age was 32.7 ± 9.8 years, 48.6% of donors were positive only for PVB19 IgG antibodies while 40.8% were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies. In addition, 5.3% were positive only for PVB19 IgM antibodies and so were considered as a potential group of PVB19 transfusion-transmission. PVB19 seropositivity was significantly associated with sex, with a higher prevalence in men. In multivariate analysis, male sex and Tshangu district have emerged as major factors associated to PVB19 seropositivity. CONCLUSIONS: This research showed that recipients of blood and blood products in Kinshasa are at a high risk (5.3%) of transfusion-transmitted PVB19 infection. Therefore, the implementation of PVB19 nucleic acid testing assays capable of detecting all PVB19 genotypes and discard donations with high titer PVB19 DNA for blood products seems to be necessary.

Validation of monoplex assays detecting antibodies against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Clostridium tetani toxins, rubella virus and parvovirus B19 for incorporation into Multiplex Serology.

Serological assays detecting antibodies in serum or plasma samples are useful and versatile instruments to investigate an individual's infection and vaccination history, e.g. for clinical diagnosis, personal risk evaluation, and seroepidemiological studies. Multiplex Serology is a suspension bead array-based high-throughput methodology for simultaneous measurement of antibodies against multiple pathogens in a single reaction vessel, thus economizing sample volume, measurement time, and costs. We developed and validated bead-based pathogen-specific Monoplex Serology assays, i.e. assays including only antigens for the respective pathogen, to detect antibodies against Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Clostridium tetani toxins, rubella virus and parvovirus B19. The developed assays expand the portfolio of existing pathogen-specific bead-based serology assays and can be efficiently incorporated into larger Multiplex Serology panels. The newly developed Monoplex Serology assays consist of only one antigen per infectious agent, expressed as Glutathione S-transferase-fusion proteins in E. coli. Specificity, sensitivity and Cohen's kappa statistics in comparison with routine clinical diagnostic assays were calculated for serum dilutions 1:100 and 1:1000. All pathogen-specific assays were successfully validated at both serum dilutions with the exception of rubella Monoplex Serology which showed impaired sensitivity (57.6%) at dilution 1:1000. Specificities of successfully validated Monoplex Serology assays ranged from 85.6% to 100.0% (median: 91.7%), and sensitivities from 81.3% to 95.8% (median: 90.9%); agreement with the reference assays ranged from substantial to almost perfect (kappa: 0.66-0.86, median: 0.78). Statistical performance and slim assay design enable efficient incorporation of the developed assays into Multiplex Serology.

Parvovirus B19 infection and kidney injury: report of 4 cases and analysis of immunization and viremia in an adult cohort of 100 patients undergoing a kidney biopsy.

BACKGROUND: The seroprevalence of human Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is 70-85% in adults worldwide. PVB19 is the etiologic agent of the fifth disease, is a cause of aplastic anemia, and can be associated with kidney injury. We aimed to describe the cases of 4 patients with kidney injury related to PVB19 primary infection, and to evaluate the seroprevalence of PVB19 and the incidence of PVB19 primary infection in patients undergoing a native kidney biopsy. METHODS: Cases of PVB19 infection with kidney injury were reviewed from the archives of the department of Nephrology. A systematic screening of anti-PVB19 IgG and IgM antibodies and viral DNA was performed in sera from 100 consecutive patients with a kidney biopsy in 2017-2018. RESULTS: The 4 patients with PVB19 infection-associated kidney disease displayed: one lupus-like glomerulonephritis (GN) without lupus auto-antibodies, one minimal change disease with tubular necrosis, one secondary hemolytic and uremic syndrome and one membrano-proliferative GN. In the 100 patients biopsied, 67 had elevated anti-PVB19 IgG, among whom 8 had elevated IgM, without circulating viral DNA, without any particular renal pathological pattern. One additional patient showed a seroconversion at the time of kidney biopsy, which revealed a class V lupus nephritis. CONCLUSION: PVB19 primary infection can be associated with different kidney diseases. The seroprevalence of PVB19 among patients with a kidney biopsy is similar to the overall population, and primary infection is rarely documented (1%) after systematic screening. Whether PV19 is nephrotoxic, or triggers renal endothelial injury and immune activation, remains to be elucidated.

Parvovirus B19 seroprevalence, viral load, and genotype characterization in volunteer blood donors from southern Brazil.

Usually transmitted via respiratory droplets, parvovirus B19 (B19V) can also be acquired by blood transfusion especially because of viral persistence, resistance to blood treatment procedures, and high viral load during the early infection phase. This is particularly problematic in immunocompromised or anemic patients where the infection can have a severe outcome. As B19V DNA was detected in blood donations from South Brazil during a viral metagenomic survey performed by Next-Generation Sequencing, the objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the seroprevalence, B19V DNA presence and circulating genotypes in a Hospital Blood Transfusion Service in Santa Maria city in South Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul state). Among 480 volunteer blood donors, 53.9% (n = 258 of 479) were anti-B19V IgG-positive, and 9 (1.9%) plasma samples presented B19V DNA. In almost all cases (n = 7 of 9, 77.8%), B19V DNA load was accompanied by the presence of anti-B19V IgG suggesting a persistent infection. The sequencing of the strains demonstrated that all belong to genotype 1 which is the most prevalent worldwide. The analysis of the recipient information of the positive for B19V DNA units revealed no related posttransfusion adverse effects. Our results demonstrate for the first time, B19V seroprevalence, viral load, and genotypes among blood donors from South Brazil and give a light for the circulation and impact of this B19V in this part of the country.

Successful re-transplantation in patient with recurrent parvovirus B19 pure red cell aplasia.

Impaired cell-mediated, as well as antibody-mediated immunity predisposes a renal transplant recipient to a wide variety of atypical infection. With an increasing number of re-transplant, the balance between immunosuppression and the risk of recurrent disease poses a clinical and therapeutic challenge. Here, we report a successful re-transplantation in a case of parvovirus B19 infection leading to anaemia and collapsing glomerulopathy in the allograft managed with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and reduction of immunosuppression. This case emphasizes re-consideration to renal transplant after clearance of the virus in a previous renal allograft lost to PVB19 infection.

Combined Laboratory Approach to Detection of Parvovirus B19 and Coxiella Burnetii in Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin.

BACKGROUND: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is one of the greatest challenges for clinicians and patients. There are more than 200 etiological agents of FUO, among these the most common is the role of infection, neoplasms, and diseases of connective tissue. The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of the infectious agents parvovirus B19 (B19V) and Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) in the development of fever of unknown origin by a set of immunoenzymatic and molecular methods. METHODS: The present study included a total of 70 adult patients diagnosed with FUO and hospitalized in Bulgarian Hospitals. A control group of 26 healthy people were also included. Serological (indirect enzyme immunoassay test for detection of B19V and C. burnetii Ph. II specific IgM/IgG) and molecular (extraction and detection of infectious nucleic acids) methods were used. RESULTS: From all patients with FUO, a positive result for B19V-IgM was obtained in 18/70 (25.71%, 95% CI: 15.47 - 35.95) and the highest percentage was found in age groups 0 - 9 and 10 - 19 years. Protective B19V immunity and past viral infection was reported in 41/70 (58.57%, 95% CI: 47.03 - 70.11), and this percentage corresponded with the control group 16/26 (61.54%, 95% CI: 42.84 - 80.24). Anti-C. burnetii Ph. II-IgM was demonstrated in 13/70 (18.57%, 95% CI: 9.46 - 27.68). A relatively high percentage of affected patients were ≤ 40 years. Anti-C. burnetii Ph. II-IgG was detected in 24/70 (34.29%, 95% CI: 23.17 - 45.41). The control group has a 100% negative result for acute B19V and C. burnetii infection. A positive B19V-DNA result was obtained in 12/70 (17.14%, 95% CI: 8.31 - 25.97) patients. In 11/12 (91.67%) it was in combination with positive B19V-IgM marker. Of the total 70 sera tested, a positive PCR results for C. burnetii-DNA were obtained in 11 (15.71%, 95% CI: 7.18 - 24.24). According to clinical manifestation and concomitant symptoms, a high percentage of B19V and C. burnetii positives were associated with FUO and fever, headache, chills, and rash. CONCLUSIONS: It is of particular importance for a correct diagnosis of FUO to use a combined laboratory approach to prove acute or persistent infection and to test for a set of etiological agents.

Presence of B19V in Patients with Thyroid Gland Disorders.

Background and Objectives: Viral infections are frequently cited as a major environmental factor implicated in thyroid gland diseases. This work aimed to estimate the presence of B19V infection in patients with thyroid gland disorders. Materials and Methods: Thyroid gland tissue and blood samples of 50 patients with autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (AITDs), 76 patients with non-autoimmune thyroid gland diseases (non-AITDs), and 35 deceased subjects whose histories did not show any autoimmune or thyroid diseases (control group) were enrolled in the study. Virus-specific IgM and IgG were detected using ELISA, and the presence and viral load of B19V in the tissue and blood were detected using PCRs. Results: B19V IgG antibodies were detected in 35/50 AITDs patients and in 51/76 non-AITDs patients, and B19V IgM antibodies were detected in 1/50 patients with AITDs and in none of the 76 patients with non-AITDs. The B19V NS sequence was found in the tissue DNA of 10/50 patients with AITDs, in 30/76 with non-AITDs, and in 1/35 control group individuals. The median B19V load in the tissue of patients with AITDs and non-AITDs was 423.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 22.50-756.8) and 43.00 copies/µg DNA (IQR: 11.50-826.5), respectively. The viral load in one of the 35 nPCR B19V-positive thyroid tissue samples from the deceased subjects was 13.82 copies/µg DNA. The viral load in the tissue of patients with AITDs was higher than in whole blood, which possibly indicates B19V persistency in thyrocytes (p = 0.0076). Conclusion: The fact that the genoprevalence of B19V NS was significantly higher in patients with non-AITDs compared to the control group and in the thyroid gland tissue of patients with AITDs, and that the non-AITDs viral load was higher than in tissue derived from the control group individuals, suggest the possibility that B19V infection could be involved in the development of thyroid gland diseases.

Pure red cell aplasia.

Pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) is a syndrome defined by a normocytic normochromic anemia with severe reticulocytopenia and marked reduction or absence of erythroid precursors from the bone marrow. Diamond-Blackfan anemia is a congenital form of PRCA. Acquired PRCA may be either a primary disorder or secondary to some other disorder or agent. Primary acquired PRCA is an autoimmune disorder that is frequently antibody-mediated. Myelodysplastic syndromes may also present with the morphologic appearance of PRCA. Secondary acquired PRCA may be associated with collagen vascular/autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus; lymphoproliferative disorders such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia or large granular lymphocyte leukemia; infections, particularly B19 parvovirus; thymoma and other solid tumors; or a variety of other disorders, drugs, or toxic agents. The therapeutic approach to PRCA typically involves immunosuppression, but specific pathogenic subtypes are associated with specific therapeutic approaches. Cyclosporine A, with or without concurrent corticosteroids, appears to be the single most effective immunosuppressive agent.

Parvovirus B19 and in situ immune response in eczema and psoriasis skin lesions of patients from the Brazilian Amazon region.

Parvovirus B19 (PVB19) is a virus found in the skin that causes asymptomatic infections and can exist in the host for long periods to time. The virus induces a local inflammatory response and is associated with the development of arthritis and other autoimmunes diseases. Parvovirus B19 DNA was investigated by PCR in the skin of 20 patients with psoriasis and 20 patients with eczema. Additionally, immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the expression of cytokines in these lesions. The sociodemographic variables were similar in the two groups studied. Psoriasis vulgaris was the most common clinical type in men (50%) and women (80%) (p = 0.0106). Comorbidities were observed in most patients with psoriasis (75%), with an OR of 14 (p = 0.0068). Another important finding was the high prevalence (50%) of psychiatric disorders in patients with psoriasis (OR = 16, p = 0.0218). Only two patients (10%) with psoriasis were positive for PVB19. Comparison of cytokine expression showed the same cytokine profile in the two groups (p > 0.05). However, expression of TNF-α tended to be higher in psoriasis patients. There was no significant positivity for PVB19 in the two groups studied. Immunohistochemistry showed higher expression of TNF-α in psoriasis lesions compared to the eczema group.

Infection status of human parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex Virus-1/2 in women with first-trimester spontaneous abortions in Chongqing, China.

BACKGROUND: Infection with Parvovirus B19 (B19V), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Herpes Simplex Virus-1/2 (HSV-1/2) may cause fetal loses including spontaneous abortion, intrauterine fetal death and non-immune hydrops fetalis. Few comprehensive studies have investigated first-trimester spontaneous abortions caused by virus infections in Chongqing, China. Our study intends to investigate the infection of B19V, CMV and HSV-1/2 in first-trimester spontaneous abortions and the corresponding immune response. METHODS: 100 abortion patients aged from 17 to 47 years were included in our study. The plasma samples (100) were analyzed qualitatively for specific IgG/IgM for B19V, CMV and HSV-1/2 (Virion\Serion, Germany) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. B19V, CMV and HSV-1/2 DNA were quantification by Real-Time PCR. RESULTS: No specimens were positive for B19V, CMV, and HSV-1/2 DNA. By serology, 30.0%, 95.0%, 92.0% of patients were positive for B19V, CMV and HSV-1/2 IgG respectively, while 2% and 1% for B19V and HSV-1/2 IgM. CONCLUSION: The low rate of virus DNA and a high proportion of CMV and HSV-1/2 IgG for most major of abortion patients in this study suggest that B19V, CMV and HSV-1/2 may not be the common factor leading to the spontaneous abortion of early pregnancy.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to primate erythroparvovirus 1 (B19V) in Australia.

BACKGROUD: Primate erythroparvovirus 1 (B19V) is a globally ubiquitous DNA virus. Infection results in a variety of clinical presentations including erythema infectiosum in children and arthralgia in adults. There is limited understanding of the seroprevalence of B19V antibodies in the Australian population and therefore of population-wide immunity. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of B19V antibodies in an Australian blood donor cohort, along with a cohort from a paediatric population. METHODS: Age/sex/geographical location stratified plasma samples (n = 2221) were collected from Australian blood donors. Samples were also sourced from paediatric patients (n = 223) in Queensland. All samples were screened for B19V IgG using an indirect- enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Overall, 57.90% (95% CI: 55.94%-59.85%) of samples tested positive for B19V IgG, with the national age-standardized seroprevalence of B19V exposure in Australians aged 0 to 79 years estimated to be 54.41%. Increasing age (p < 0.001) and state of residence (p < 0.001) were independently associated with B19V exposure in blood donors, with the highest rates in donors from Tasmania (71.88%, 95% CI: 66.95%-76.80%) and donors aged 65-80 years (78.41%, 95% CI: 74.11%-82.71%). A seroprevalence of 52.04% (95% CI: 47.92%-56.15%) was reported in women of child-bearing age (16 to 44 years). Sex was not associated with exposure in blood donors (p = 0.547) or in children (p = 0.261) screened in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a clear association between B19V exposure and increasing age, with over half of the Australian population likely to be immune to this virus. Differences in seroprevalence were also observed in donors residing in different states, with a higher prevalence reported in those from the southern states. The finding is consistent with previous studies, with higher rates observed in countries with a higher latitude. This study provides much needed insight into the prevalence of B19V exposure in the Australian population, which has implications for public health as well as transfusion and transplantation safety in Australia.

Antibodies against human parvovirus B19 in pregnant women in Ogbomoso, Oyo State Nigeria.

Infection caused by Human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) during pregnancy has been associated with adverse effects on fetus such as intrauterine fetal death but there is dearth information about the seroprevalence and risk factors among pregnant women. This study was carried out to determine the incidence of specific IgM antibodies to HPVB19 among pregnant women attending Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. A total of 185 participants, in the age range 18-49 years, who consented voluntarily after thorough explanation of the purpose of the study were recruited for the study. Specific IgM antibodies were detected using commercially available third-generation ELISA kits. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and potential risk factors were collected using structured questionnaires. Chi-square (χ2) test was utilized to assess the association between the socio-demographic variables and HPVB19 status (P Ë‚ 0.05). Logistic regression was done to determine the strength of association between the potential risk factors and HPVB19 status (P Ë‚ 0.05). The overall incidence of IgM antibody recorded was 2.70% (5/185). Pregnant women in the age group 36-45 (7.7%) years had the highest record. None of the socio-demographic characteristics and risk factor considered were significantly associated with acquiring HPVB19. However, a one-fold risk was observed among those who had previous history of blood transfusion (95% CI = 0.949-0.997, OR = 1.0) The findings in this study confirmed the presence of antibodies to HPVB19 among pregnant women in Ogbomoso. Public awareness, enlightenment, and screening for the virus should be encouraged to prevent fetal complications during pregnancy.