Abstract
Human parvovirus B19 has been implicated as a primary etiologic agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) and aplastic crisis in patients with chronic haemolytic anemias. Human parvovirus B19 is known to be associated with adverse effects on fetuses such as hydrops fetalis, intrauterine fetal death, and chronic anaemia in immunocompromized individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 among the pregnant women in Tripoli, Libya. A total number of 150 participants were included in the study, consisting of women of child-bearing age ranging from 18 to 41 years, and divided into age groups as follows: < or = 21 years, 22-27, 28-32, 33-37, and > or = 38 years. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. IgG was observed to be prevalent (61%) among the women of child-bearing age. The sero-prevalence of IgM was found to be 5% overall and there was no detectable IgM in the age group between 33 and 37. The presence of IgG and absence of IgM indicate immunity to primary infection, but a significant percentage of child-bearing aged women are at risk of primary infection with parvovirus B19 which could adversely affect their pregnancy.
Highlights
Human parvovirus B19 was recently recognized as the cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis and intrauterine fetal death [1]
These results indicate a very low seropositivity (6%) for IgM in the age group of 22 to 27 (P = 0.040); their IgG levels were comparatively higher (62%) (Figure1)
Human parvovirus B19 infection has been detected in a number of developed countries throughout the world with adult prevalence rates varying from 30-60% [12]
Summary
Human parvovirus B19 was recently recognized as the cause of non-immune hydrops fetalis and intrauterine fetal death [1]. B19 can be transmitted transplacentally from an infected mother to the fetus, which leads to non-immune fetal hydrops (NIHF), spontaneous abortion, or intrauterine fetal death [5]. Human parvovirus B19 is known to be associated with adverse effects on fetuses such as hydrops fetalis, intrauterine fetal death, and chronic anaemia in immunocompromized individuals. Results: IgG was observed to be prevalent (61%) among the women of child-bearing age. Conclusion: The presence of IgG and absence of IgM indicate immunity to primary infection, but a significant percentage of child-bearing aged women are at risk of primary infection with parvovirus B19 which could adversely affect their pregnancy
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