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Parvovirus-associated arthritis
1Division of Rheumatolgy and Pediatric Rheumatology, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center, Missouri 63104, USA. MooreTL@slu.edu
Abstract:
Human parvovirus B19 is the cause of several distinct clinical syndromes. The most common is erythema infectiosum (fifth disease), a febrile exanthem occurring primarily in children. Recent studies have shown that parvovirus B19 can cause acute arthritis and occasionally a chronic arthropathy, both in children and adults. Parvovirus B19 DNA has been detected in studies in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but other studies have varied in their findings. Recent studies also indicate a possible connective tissue disease-like syndrome with parvoviral infections. The common features of this syndrome are malar eruption, arthralgias, arthritis, and laboratory abnormalities including antinuclear antibody and rheumatoid factor positivity. However, the data indicate it is unlikely that B19 infection causes rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. Continued studies of the pathogenesis of acute and chronic parvoviral B19 infections and arthropathy may provide insights into virus-host interactions and mechanisms of joint disease and connective tissue disease.
Insights
Human parvovirus B19 causes erythema infectiosum and can lead to acute or chronic arthritis. While linked to connective tissue disease symptoms, it
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human parvovirus B19 is a significant viral pathogen.
- It is primarily known for causing erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) in children.
- Emerging evidence links parvovirus B19 to various arthritic and connective tissue disease-like syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical syndromes associated with human parvovirus B19 infection.
- To explore the relationship between parvovirus B19 and arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis.
- To investigate the potential for parvovirus B19 to induce connective tissue disease-like presentations.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on parvovirus B19.
- Analysis of findings regarding parvovirus B19 DNA in synovial tissue.
- Examination of clinical features and laboratory abnormalities in parvoviral infections.
Main Results:
- Parvovirus B19 is the causative agent of erythema infectiosum and can induce acute and chronic arthritis in children and adults.
- Detection of parvovirus B19 DNA in synovial tissue has shown variable results in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
- A connective tissue disease-like syndrome with malar rash, arthralgias, arthritis, and positive autoantibodies is associated with parvoviral infections.
Conclusions:
- Parvovirus B19 infection is unlikely to be a direct cause of rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.
- Further research into the pathogenesis of parvoviral B19 infections and associated arthropathies is warranted.
- Understanding virus-host interactions in parvoviral infections may offer insights into joint and connective tissue diseases.