[Parvovirus B19 as a cause of acute arthritis]

Parvovirus B19 is known to cause erythema infection (fifth disease), acute and chronic arthritis, aplastic crises in chronic hemolytic anemia, chronic anemia in the immunocompromised host and hydrops fetalis. We present two patients with acute arthritis due to parvovirus infection. Both had symmetrical synovitis in wrists and ankles. Patient 1 presented with fever and rash before joint symptoms occurred; patient 2 had joint symptoms only. Arthritis due to parvovirus is usually self-limited, but may develop into a chronic disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis. Parvovirus should be considered one of the differential diagnoses while dealing with acute or chronic arthritis.