Seroepidemiology of parvovirus B19 in the Frankfurt am Main area, Germany: evaluation of risk factors

Abstract

Background: Parvovirus B 19 is a virus that is distributed by respiratory droplets. It is known to be an initiator of erythema infectiosum (children's fifth disease), with erythroblasts being the target cells of infection. In case of vertically transmission, hydrops fetalis has been documented.

Objective: Parvovirus B19 seroprevalence was investigated in serum samples routinely collected from patients who had been admitted to the University Hospital in Frankfurt a. M., Germany. Patients were classified in different groups in order to analyze parovirus B19 seroprevalences in terms of risk factors.

Materials and methods: Between June 2007 and March 2010, a total of 2,197 serum samples were analyzed for parvovirus B19-immunoglobulin G using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The study population included six groups of patients, namely, patients suffering from haemophilia, malignant disease, immunodeficiency diseases, common gynecological ailments, pregnant women and children with malignant diseases.

Results: Of the 2,197 serum samples, 1,383 contained antibodies to parvovirus B19 (62.9%). The overall seroprevalence in adults (20 to ≥60 years of age) was 71%. Gradually rising prevalences were recorded in children/adolescents with increasing age. We found a positive serostatus in 54.9% of adult patients with malignant disease, in 64.2% of patients with haemophilia (1 to ≥60 years), in 66.7% of patients under immunosuppression with various drugs (1 to ≥60 years) and in 41.7% of oncological patients aged 1-19 years. Of the pregnant women (aged 15-49 years), 71.1% were seropositive.

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of parvovirus B19 in patients admitted to the University Hospital in Frankfurt a.M. was, on average, lower than that among the general population in Germany. Infection among patients in specific risk groups did not spread more than that in age-matched non-selected patients, with the exception of the group of immunocompromised patients.