[Primary parvovirus B19 infection in immunocompetent adults: clinical and biological manifestations. Retrospective study of 16 patients]

Abstract

Purpose: The spectrum of clinical and biological expressions of parvovirus B19 infection is incompletely described.

Methods: We report 16 retrospective cases of primary parvovirus B19 infection that occurred in immunocompetent adults and were diagnosed by serology.

Results and conclusion: Most cases conformed to the classical descriptions of parvovirus-induced arthropathy (transient polyarthritis often accompanied by erythema, dysesthesia and pruritus). However, the diagnosis of primary parvovirus B19 infection should also be considered in other clinical and biological situations such as edema, acute anemia or cytopenia, vascular purpura, neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations, and hepatitis. Parvovirus infection may mimic diseases such as lupus erythematosus or systemic necrotizing vasculitis. The risk for confusion with both diseases is increased, as immunological abnormalities such as hypocomplementemia, when they are systematically searched for, prove to be common.