Infection with Parvovirus B19

Human parvovirus B19 is common and widespread. Major manifestations of B19 infection are transient aplastic crisis, erythema infectiosum, hydrops fetalis, acute and chronic rheumatoid-like arthropathy and, in the immunocompromised host, chronic or recurrent bone marrow infection. Less common presentations include skin eruptions, isolated cytopenias, vasculitis, hepatitis, and neuropathies. Increasing awareness of the clinical manifestations of B19 infection makes parvovirus B19 an emerging virus. B19 may persist in healthy or immunocompromised individuals. B19 has been suggested as a candidate agent in rheumatic diseases.