Investigation of Human Parvovirus B19 Seroprevalence among Pregnant Women Experiencing Spontaneous Abortion in Kirkuk City, Iraq

Abstract

Human parvovirus B19 (HPV B19) may cross the placenta from mother to the fetus and cause major problems like non-immune hydrops fetalis, severe fetal anemia, as well as fetal mortality. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of HPVB19 in pregnant women with spontaneous abortion in kirkuk. From November 2022 to the April 2023, blood samples from 135 aborted women aged 15-45 and 45 women with successful pregnancies as a control group were taken. Using the ELISA Technique, the sera from the samples were tested for HPV B19 -specific IgM and IgG antibodies. The result showed that 13 (9.63%) tested positive for HPV B19 IgM, 28 (20.74%) tested positive for IgG,P<0.01.The highest seroprevalence of HPV B19 IgM antibodies was observed in the 15-25 age group (61.54%). HPV B19 IgG antibodies highest prevalence in the 26-35 age groups (50%) (P<0.05).The study showed that in the 1st trimester, 11 cases (84.62%) tested positive for HPV B19 IgM antibodies, while 20 cases (71.43%) tested positive for IgG antibodies.Among women with three abortions, a higher proportion tested positive for HPV B19 antibodies, with 76.92% testing positive for HPV B19IgM and 82.14% testing positive for IgG, among women residing in rural areas, a higher proportion tested positive, with 76.92% testing positive for HPV B19 IgM antibodies and 75% testing positive for HPV B19 IgG antibodies. In the normal weight category, 69.23% tested positive for HPV B19 IgM antibodies, and 82.14% tested positive for IgG antibodies. Aborted women have a higher prevalence of Parvovirus HPV B19 IgM and IgG than control groups, suggesting a potential association between B19 infection and pregnancy loss.