Serological parvovirus B19 SCREENING of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and Ankylosing spondylitis

Abstract

Parvovirus B19 is single-stranded DNA virus and can cause general flu-like symptoms or asymptomatic infection with rash and, more commonly in adults, arthritis, especially in the fingers and hands but also in the wrists and ankles. The present study aimed to investigate the involvement of parvovirus B19 in the development of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis by demonstrating the presence of specific antiviral antibodies in patient serum samples. Serological methods (indirect ELISA test and Immunoblot test) to demonstrate the specific parvovirus B19 IgM/IgG antibodies were used. A total 36 serum samples, collected in 2015 from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (n=24) and ankylosing spondylitis (n=12) were tested. The average age of patients studied was 50 ± 13.2 years. Positive results for B19-IgM antibodies which are marker for acute B19 infection in 2/36 (5.55%) serum samples were detected. These two sera were from patients with diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis. Protective B19-IgG antibodies evidence of past infection in 17/36 (47.22%) patients were found. Thirteen of them were diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and four with ankylosing spondylitis. Two of the tested serum samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were positive for both investigated B19 markers. Rheumatoid diseases are one of the oldest problems of mankind, which is widespread today. This study is the basis for future more detailed tests aimed enrichment of diagnostic range on these diseases and inclusion of parvovirus B19 assays.