CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF

PARVOVIRUS B19 INFECTION

• Parvovirus is spread by respiratory secretions or hand-to-mouth contact.
• Most outbreaks occur in spring with epidemics occurring every 4 - 5 years.
• Parvovirus B19 is responsible for erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) in children.
• Adults with parvovirus infection usually do not have an extensive rash, but usually develop arthralgia and adenopathy lasting several weeks. Up to 20% of adults who do develop the infection are asymptomatic.
• Viremia develops about 7 days after inoculation and persists for up to 4 days.
• A rash appears about 16 days after inoculation or 5 days after the disappearance of the virus from circulation.
• Previous exposure and infection confers immunity (IgG positive and IgM negative).

IgG positive, IgM positive = Recent infection.
IgG positive, IgM negative = Prior infection.
IgG negative, IgM negative = No prior infection (1).

REFERENCES

1. Torok TJ, Wang Q-W, Gary GW Jr et.al. Prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine infection with parvovirus B19 by the polymerase chain reaction technique. Clin Infect Dis 1992;14:149-155.